: a colorless pungent fuming vesicant liquid acid CH2O2 found especially in ants and in many plants and used chiefly in dyeing and finishing textiles
Examples of formic acid in a Sentence
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If the person is untreated, the methanol metabolizes into formic acid, which attacks the optic nerve and nervous system, leading to blindness, organ failure or death within 48 hours.
—
Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
The microbes metabolize the formic acid and efficiently produce succinic acid, which is then used directly as the essential precursor to synthesize biodegradable plastics, such as polybutylene succinate (PBS).
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025
For instance, the insects’ formic acid (part of their defense system) plays a triple role.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
The excited ants release formic acid, which is a natural repellent for mites, lice and ticks that have gotten into the bird’s feathers.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
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Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
The microbes metabolize the formic acid and efficiently produce succinic acid, which is then used directly as the essential precursor to synthesize biodegradable plastics, such as polybutylene succinate (PBS).
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2025
For instance, the insects’ formic acid (part of their defense system) plays a triple role.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
The excited ants release formic acid, which is a natural repellent for mites, lice and ticks that have gotten into the bird’s feathers.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for formic acid
Cite this Entry
“Formic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formic%20acid. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formic acid
noun
for·mic acid
ˌfȯr-mik- 
: a colorless strong-smelling acid that irritates the skin, is found in insects (as ants) and in many plants, and is used chiefly in dyeing and finishing woven fabrics
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