potassium chlorate
noun
: a crystalline salt KClO3 that is used as an oxidizing agent in matches, fireworks, and explosives
Examples of potassium chlorate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The white smoke is created by a mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose and a pine resin also known as Greek pitch.
—
Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025
The conclave used a combination of potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin to create the white smoke.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 May 2025
Chemicals used for white smoke: potassium chlorate, lactose and rosin – a natural amber resin from conifers.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
When a pope is elected, there will be white smoke, which is created from a combination of potassium chlorate, lactose, and pine resin, which burns clean and pale.
—Sarah Turner, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
The conclave that elected the late Pope Francis used a combination of potassium chlorate, lactose, and chloroform resin to create white smoke, which appears to have solved the visibility problem.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2025
The conclave used a combination of potassium chlorate, lactose, and chloroform resin to create the white smoke.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2013
The British home guard stockpiled petrol bombs to use against a potential Nazi invasion, and the Polish army developed a version with sulfuric acid, sugar, and potassium chlorate that ignited upon impact, negating the need for a fuse.
—Liz Webber, Quartz, 25 Feb. 2022
Magnesium carbonate keeps the environment within the canister from becoming too acidic, which could destabilize the potassium chlorate.
—Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 31 May 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025
The conclave used a combination of potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin to create the white smoke.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 May 2025
Chemicals used for white smoke: potassium chlorate, lactose and rosin – a natural amber resin from conifers.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
When a pope is elected, there will be white smoke, which is created from a combination of potassium chlorate, lactose, and pine resin, which burns clean and pale.
—Sarah Turner, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
The conclave that elected the late Pope Francis used a combination of potassium chlorate, lactose, and chloroform resin to create white smoke, which appears to have solved the visibility problem.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 May 2025
The conclave used a combination of potassium chlorate, lactose, and chloroform resin to create the white smoke.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2013
The British home guard stockpiled petrol bombs to use against a potential Nazi invasion, and the Polish army developed a version with sulfuric acid, sugar, and potassium chlorate that ignited upon impact, negating the need for a fuse.
—Liz Webber, Quartz, 25 Feb. 2022
Magnesium carbonate keeps the environment within the canister from becoming too acidic, which could destabilize the potassium chlorate.
—Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, 31 May 2020
Cite this Entry
“Potassium chlorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potassium%20chlorate. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share