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
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Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
—
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
Here, the metal undergoes what’s called the Siemens process: It’s bathed in hydrochloric acid and reacts to form hydrogen gas and a liquid called trichlorosilane.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Sep. 2025
Johnson added the system works by taking the air from the barn and treating it with UV light and chlorine, which reacts with the methane and makes hydrochloric acid as a by-product.
—Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for hydrochloric acid
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Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Oct. 2025
Here, the metal undergoes what’s called the Siemens process: It’s bathed in hydrochloric acid and reacts to form hydrogen gas and a liquid called trichlorosilane.
—IEEE Spectrum, 22 Sep. 2025
Johnson added the system works by taking the air from the barn and treating it with UV light and chlorine, which reacts with the methane and makes hydrochloric acid as a by-product.
—Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for hydrochloric acid
Cite this Entry
“Hydrochloric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrochloric%20acid. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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