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hydrogen fluoride

American  

noun

  1. a colorless corrosive gas, HF, the anhydride of hydrofluoric acid, used chiefly as a catalyst and in the fluorination of hydrocarbons.


hydrogen fluoride British  

noun

  1. a colourless poisonous corrosive gas or liquid made by reaction between calcium fluoride and sulphuric acid: used as a fluorinating agent and catalyst. Formula: HF

  2. an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride; hydrofluoric acid

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

hydrogen fluoride Scientific  
  1. A corrosive compound that exists as a colorless, fuming liquid or a highly soluble gas. Hydrogen fluoride is used as a reagent, catalyst, and fluorinating agent, in the refining of uranium, and in making many fluorine compounds. An aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride is called hydrofluoric acid. Chemical formula: HF.


Etymology

Origin of hydrogen fluoride

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

For example, in the case of EO, highly corrosive hydrogen fluoride vapor.

From BBC Aug. 18, 2025

Environmental Protection Agency determined that there was no public health risk posed by levels of particulate matter and hydrogen fluoride gas released during the fire.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 29, 2025

In 2019, Japan’s government tightened export controls on three materials to South Korea - fluorinated polyimide, hydrogen fluoride and resists - key materials used in the production of semiconductors.

From Washington Times Mar. 23, 2023

Japan's trade ministry said it would lift export curbs to South Korea on some high-tech materials, namely fluorinated polyimides, resists and hydrogen fluoride.

From Reuters Mar. 16, 2023

Fire and hazmat officials checked for oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen fluoride and flammable gases and found all within normal ranges, Mauser said.

From Seattle Times Nov. 6, 2022

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