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: 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
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Word History
Etymology
French nitrique, from nitre niter, from Middle French
First Known Use
1788, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near nitric acid
Cite this Entry
“Nitric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitric%20acid. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
nitric acid
nounˈnī-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
More from Merriam-Webster on nitric acid
Nglish: Translation of nitric acid for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nitric acid
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