1. Crystalline salt (KNO₃), used especially as a fertilizer and explosive
   "Potassium nitrate was a crucial component in early gunpowder formulations";
   - saltpeter [US], saltpetre [Brit, Cdn], niter [US], nitre [Brit, Cdn]

Derived forms: potassium nitrates

Type of: nitrate

Part of: black powder, fertiliser [Brit], fertilizer, plant food

Encyclopedia: Potassium nitrate