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

Recent Examples on the Web

Within the ominous black smoke pouring out of the white tower lies millions of annual pounds of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrochloric acid, carbon monoxide, soot and more. —Lisa Boyd, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2025

The process starts at room temperature, with super-concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCL) to separate the poly from the cotton, enabling fiber-to-fiber recycling of both components. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2025

At Mountain Pass, the concentrate is roasted and then leached with hydrochloric acid to put the high-value rare earth elements into solution. —IEEE Spectrum, 27 Dec. 2024

About the same time, a Missouri infantryman and musician in the home’s band fell back into the sodden embrace of booze after years of sobriety, went back to his barracks and swallowed hydrochloric acid. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hydrochloric acid

• antacid
• placid

Kids 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