calcium chloride

American

noun

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

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

"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

calcium chloride Scientific

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

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:

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 hydroxide is then added to the seawater, reacting with dissolved magnesium chloride to yield solid magnesium hydroxide and aqueous calcium chloride.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

Of the hygroscopic substances in common use, phosphoric anhydride, concentrated sulphuric acid, and dry potassium hydrate are almost equal in power; sodium hydrate and calcium chloride are not much behind.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2 "Demijohn" to "Destructor" by Various

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023