acetic acid
noun
ace·tic acid
| \ ə-ˈsē-tik-
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Definition of acetic acid
: a colorless pungent liquid acid C2H4O2 that is the chief acid of vinegar and that is used especially in synthesis (as of plastics)
Examples of acetic acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For instance, acetic acid in a fabric display-case liner might be safe for a clothing exhibit but would corrode metallic art. — National Geographic, "This chemist is preserving art—before it’s too late," 23 July 2019 Some studies linked acetic acid with a mild reduction in blood sugar spikes after meals. — Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "The Real Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar, According to a Nutritionist," 21 Nov. 2018 Vinegar’s active ingredient, acetic acid, can be produced naturally through bacterial fermentation, as in apple cider vinegar, or industrially, via chemical reactions from such source materials as methanol. — Margaret Roach, Good Housekeeping, "Why It Can Be Dangerous to Use Vinegar to Kill Weeds," 15 Aug. 2018 Vinegar’s active ingredient, acetic acid, can be produced naturally through bacterial fermentation, as in apple-cider vinegar, or industrially, via chemical reactions from such source materials as methanol. — Margaret Roach, Good Housekeeping, "Why It Can Be Dangerous To Use Vinegar To Kill Weeds," 18 May 2017 But the concentration of acetic acid in this is so high, it should be labeled a poison. — Peter Andrey Smith, Outside Online, "Don't Trust the Label on Your Supplements," 5 July 2018 In fact, household products with acetic acid content above 20 percent should be labeled as poisons, but foods and supplements are exempt from such labeling! — Houston Chronicle, "10 steps to protect your heart, brain and body from disease and premature aging," 20 May 2018 Buy now: $12; Amazon.com Apple cider vinegar: Vinegar contains acetic acid which helps ease sunburn pain, itching, and inflammation. — Allison Young, Good Housekeeping, "Make This DIY Cooling Body Butter To Soothe Sunburned Skin," 7 June 2017 Sobering details: In concentrations over 11 percent, acetic acid can burn skin and cause eye damage, and concentrations of 20 percent and above are corrosive to tin, aluminum, iron, and concrete and can even cause blindness. — Margaret Roach, Good Housekeeping, "Why It Can Be Dangerous To Use Vinegar To Kill Weeds," 18 May 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acetic acid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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