hydrochloric acid

noun

1. a colorless or faintly yellow, corrosive, fuming liquid, HCl, used chiefly in chemical and industrial processes.

hydrochloric acid

/ ˌhaɪdrəˈklɒrɪk /

noun

1. the colourless or slightly yellow aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride: a strong acid used in many industrial and laboratory processes Formerly calledmuriatic acid

hydrochloric acid

/ hī′drə-klôr′ĭk /

1. A solution of hydrogen chloride in water, forming a very strong, poisonous, corrosive acid with a sharp odor. It is used in food processing, metal cleaning, and dyeing. Small amounts of hydrochloric acid are also secreted by the stomachs of animals for digestion.
2. Also called muriatic acid

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrochloric acid¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Earthjustice has also cited past incidents at the Santa Fe Springs facility in which ammonia and hydrochloric acid had been released at the site and workers had been burned with acid.

From Los Angeles Times

Certain occupational exposures, such as to sulfuric or hydrochloric acid, may also put people at higher risk of enamel erosion.

From Seattle Times

For example, they prompt cells in your stomach lining -- but not in your eyes -- to produce hydrochloric acid, even though all the cells in your body contain the same DNA.

From Science Daily

A break-in on June 10 at the Longmeadow, Massachusetts, city pool led to the theft of muriatic acid, a diluted form of hydrochloric acid used for cleaning.

From Washington Times

That is why the group has chartered two low-water barges that are able to supply customers with hydrochloric acid even when Rhine levels at Cologne fall to 0.40 metres.

From Reuters