nitric acid

noun

ni·​tric acid ˈnī-trik- 

: a corrosive liquid inorganic acid HNO₃ used especially as an oxidizing agent, in nitrations, and in making organic compounds (such as fertilizers, explosives, and dyes)

Examples of nitric acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the afternoon of June 21, Thatcher Company of Arizona leaked over 10,00 pounds of nitric acid into the atmosphere, prompting a shelter-in-place order for nearby Buckeye residents, according to ADEQ. —Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 26 July 2024

According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the chemical involved in the train accident is nitric acid. —Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 17 June 2024

Perhaps the only realistic concern is that existing recycling technologies rely on nitric acid and can produce some toxic waste. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 June 2024

It was determined that a nitric acid spill caused the incident, police said. —Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 21 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

French nitrique, from nitre niter, from Middle French

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

nitric acid

noun

ˈnī-trik-

: a strong liquid nitrogen-containing acid used in making fertilizers, explosives, and dyes

Medical Definition

nitric acid

noun

: a corrosive liquid inorganic acid HNO₃ used especially as an oxidizing agent, in nitrations, and in making organic compounds