perchlorate

American  

[per-klawr-eyt, -klohr-] / pərˈklɔr eɪt, -ˈkloʊr- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a salt or ester of perchloric acid, as potassium perchlorate, KClO 4 .

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perchlorate British  

/ pəˈklɔːreɪt /

noun

1. any salt or ester of perchloric acid. Perchlorate salts contain the ion ClO 4 ^–

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perchlorate Scientific  

/ pər-klôr′āt′ /

1. A salt of perchloric acid, containing the group ClO ₄.

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Etymology

Origin of perchlorate

First recorded in 1820–30; per- + chlorate

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

perchlorate

And a 2016 US government study found perchlorate, an oxidizing agent used in fireworks, had made its way into groundwater and surface water around Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which holds annual July 4 shows.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

When exposed only to perchlorate salts, the cells formed P-bodies.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 8, 2026

Two Iranian ships have been sailing from China with tons of sodium perchlorate, a main ingredient for producing solid propellant for ballistic missiles, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025

Iran's defence ministry denied reports that the explosion was caused by the improper handling of a shipment of sodium perchlorate, a solid fuel used for ballistic missiles.

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2025

Potassium perchlorate, KClO4, can be obtained by carefully heating the chlorate until it first melts and then nearly all solidifies again.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 3 "Chitral" to "Cincinnati" by Various