nitric acid

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless or yellowish, fuming, suffocating, caustic, corrosive, water-soluble liquid, HNO 3 , having powerful oxidizing properties, usually obtained from ammonia or from Chile saltpeter: used chiefly in the manufacture of explosives and fertilizers and in organic synthesis.

---

nitric acid British  

noun

1. Former name: aqua fortis.  a colourless or yellowish fuming corrosive liquid usually used in aqueous solution. It is an oxidizing agent and a strong monobasic acid: important in the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives, and many other chemicals. Formula: HNO 3

---

nitric acid Scientific  

1. A clear, colorless to yellow liquid that is very corrosive and can dissolve most metals. It is used to make fertilizers, explosives, dyes, and rocket fuels. Chemical formula: HNO ₃ .

---

Etymology

Origin of nitric acid

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Officials have previously responded to spills at the facility, including of nitric acid, within the past few years, Sigman said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Nitrous oxide was first synthesized in the late 18th century, by dampening iron filings with nitric acid and heating it to create a gas.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2025

This is then used to make nitric acid, which can be applied to the soil.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2024

Similarly good graphene oxide could be synthesized previously only using rather dangerous method involving extremely toxic fuming nitric acid.

From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2024

They found that if they cleaned an infected wound with chemicals such as carbolic acid, bromine, nitric acid, and iodine, they could sometimes heal it.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow