Nitrous is often used as an abbreviation for nitrous oxide, also referred to as NOS. The term NOS is derived from the initials of the company name Nitrous Oxide Systems, one of the pioneering companies in the development of nitrous oxide injection systems for automotive performance use.

NOS Energy Drink is an energy drink sometimes distributed in a bottle designed to look like a NOS (Nitrous Oxide Systems) cartridge. It is produced by the High Performance Beverage Company, and licensed by Holley Performance, which owns the trademark. The original version is flavored with juice, but other variants including "fruit punch" and "grape" are also available. Like many other energy drinks, NOS contains high levels of taurine, and caffeine, but differs via its inclusion of large amounts L-carnitine.