a colourless pungent corrosive gas obtained by the action of sulphuric acid on sodium chloride: used in making vinyl chloride and other organic chemicals. Formula: HCl
2.
an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride; hydrochloric acid
hydrogen chloride in American English
noun
a colorless gas, HCl, having a pungent odor: the anhydride of hydrochloric acid
Word origin
[1865–70]This word is first recorded in the period 1865–70. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: dunk, figure skating, goulash, racism, valence
Examples of 'hydrogen chloride' in a sentence
hydrogen chloride
One bottle contained hydrogen peroxide, one contained hydrogen chloride and the other two contained water.