calcium chloride

American  

noun

1. a white, lumpy, deliquescent solid, CaCl 2 , usually derived from calcium carbonate by reaction with hydrochloric acid, or as a by-product of various commercial processes: used chiefly as a drying agent and preservative and for preventing dust.

---

calcium chloride British  

noun

1. a white deliquescent salt occurring naturally in seawater and used in the de-icing of roads and as a drying agent. Formula: CaCl 2

---

calcium chloride Scientific  

1. A white crystalline salt that attracts water very strongly. It is used in refrigeration and is spread on roads to melt ice and control dust. Chemical formula: CaCl ₂ .

---

Etymology

Origin of calcium chloride

First recorded in 1880–85

Compare meaning

How does calcium-chloride compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• calcium gluconate vs. calcium chloride

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

calcium chloride

A group that supports maintaining Miracle Hot Springs says on its website that the soaking pool’s water has mineral compounds that include sulfur, magnesium, calcium, chloride, iron and sodium.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 1, 2024

Monday in the area of Low Line and Magnolia roads in Morgan County and the nine derailed cars contained dry cement, calcium chloride and sodium hydroxide, according to CSX and county officials.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2024

Moreover, additives like calcium chloride and artificial coloring are allowed in Parmesan, as are other nontraditional steps in the cheesemaking process.

From Salon ● Feb. 4, 2023

Solid calcium fluoride can also be prepared by the reaction of aqueous solutions of calcium chloride and sodium fluoride, yielding aqueous sodium chloride as the other product.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

He showed that there exists a series of compounds of various salts, e.g. chloride of calcium, chloride of zinc, etc., with alcohol.

From Heroes of Science Chemists by Muir, M. M. Pattison (Matthew Moncrieff Pattison)