hydrochloric acid

noun

hy·​dro·​chlo·​ric acid ˌhī-drə-ˈklȯr-ik- 

: 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

Shocking photos documenting a motel manager pouring hydrochloric acid to dispel Black swimmers drew national and international attention. —Mariette Williams, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025

Sodium hypochlorite, or bleach, and hydrochloric acid, or muriatic acid, spilled in the crash, the fire department said. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 29 Aug. 2025

Hazmat crews spent hours cleaning up hydrochloric acid from a leaking semitrailer after a commercial vehicle fire on I-70 near mile marker 258 just before 8 a.m., according to the Colorado State Patrol. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2025

The killings came to light in May 1999, when authorities discovered dismembered remains in plastic barrels filled with hydrochloric acid in an old bank vault in Snowtown, per The Guardian. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hydrochloric acid

• antacid
• placid

Kids Definition

hydrochloric acid

noun

hy·​dro·​chlo·​ric acid ˌhī-drə-ˌklōr-ik- 

-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- 

: 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