\Ni`tri*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. nitrification. see
{Nitrify}.]
1. (Chem.)
   (a) The act, process, or result of combining with nitrogen
       or some of its compounds.
   (b) The act or process of oxidizing nitrogen or its
       compounds so as to form nitrous or nitric acid.
2. A process of oxidation, in which nitrogenous vegetable and
   animal matter in the presence of air, moisture, and some
   basic substances, as lime or alkali carbonate, is
   converted into nitrates.
Note: The process is going on at all times in porous soils
      and in water contaminated with nitrogenous matter, and
      is supposed to be due to the presence of an organized
      ferment or ferments, called nitrification ferments. In
      former times the process was extensively made use of in
      the production of saltpeter.