1. (noun)nitroglycerin, nitroglycerine, trinitroglycerin, glyceryl trinitrate, Nitrospan, Nitrostat a heavy yellow poisonous oily explosive liquid obtained by nitrating glycerol; used in making explosives and medically as a vasodilator (trade names Nitrospan and Nitrostat) Synonyms: trinitroglycerin, nitroglycerine, glyceryl trinitrate, nitroglycerin