sulfuric acid

noun

: a heavy corrosive oily dibasic strong acid H₂SO₄ that is colorless when pure and is a vigorous oxidizing and dehydrating agent

Is it sulfur or sulphur?: Usage Guide

The spelling sulfur predominates in U.S. technical usage, while both sulfur and sulphur are common in general usage. British usage tends to favor sulphur for all applications. The same pattern is seen in most of the words derived from sulfur.

Examples of sulfuric acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If a sulfide mineral is exposed to water and oxygen, as will happen when miners start breaking up rock, the sulfur splits off the metal and bonds with hydrogen and oxygen molecules, forming sulfuric acid. —Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024

Discoveries Venus, sometimes called Earth’s evil twin for its surface temperatures that can melt lead and clouds made of corrosive sulfuric acid, is perhaps the place most hostile to life in the solar system. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 3 Aug. 2024

Venus, the closest planet to Earth, has an atmosphere similar to ours, but much more hot and full of corrosive sulfuric acid. —Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 30 July 2024

The writer cited, among other impacts the water and lands poisoned by the use of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide leaking into ground water and soil. —Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 3 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sulfuric acid

noun

: a heavy oily strong acid that is colorless when pure and eats away at many solid substances

Medical Definition

sulfuric acid

noun

: a heavy corrosive oily dibasic strong acid H₂SO₄ that is colorless when pure and is a vigorous oxidizing and dehydrating agent see oil of vitriol