hydrochloric acid

noun

hy·​dro·​chlo·​ric acid ˌhī-drə-ˈklȯr-ik- How to pronounce hydrochloric acid (audio)
: an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride HCl that is a strong corrosive irritating acid, is normally present in dilute form in gastric juice, and is widely used in industry and in the laboratory

Examples of hydrochloric acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Cornstarch, for instance, can be heated with hydrochloric acid to make corn syrup. Jess Craig, Vox, 5 Sep. 2024 Ashed samples are analyzed for 65 elements using nitric/hydrochloric acid digestion with ICP-MS finish (ME-VEG41a). Sacramento Bee, 19 June 2024 Many now run through residential and commercial neighborhoods, sometimes carrying hazardous cargo such as petroleum or hydrochloric acid. Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 27 May 2024 The hydrochloric acid had done little to disfigure the corpse. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for hydrochloric acid 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hydrochloric acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrochloric acid was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near hydrochloric acid

Cite this Entry

“Hydrochloric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrochloric%20acid. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

hydrochloric acid

noun
hy·​dro·​chlo·​ric acid ˌhī-drə-ˌklōr-ik- How to pronounce hydrochloric acid (audio)
-ˌklȯr-
: a strong acid formed by dissolving hydrogen chloride in water that is widely used in industry and in the laboratory

Medical Definition

hydrochloric acid

noun
hy·​dro·​chlo·​ric acid ˌhī-drə-ˌklōr-ik-, -ˌklȯr- How to pronounce hydrochloric acid (audio)
: an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride HCl that is a strong corrosive irritating acid, is normally present in dilute form in gastric juice, and is widely used in industry and in the laboratory

called also muriatic acid

More from Merriam-Webster on hydrochloric acid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!