perchlorate

noun

per·​chlo·​rate (ˌ)pər-ˈklȯr-ˌāt How to pronounce perchlorate (audio)
-ət
: a salt or ester of perchloric acid

Examples of perchlorate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Similarly, some small open spaces in the basalts have been filled in with sulfate and perchlorate salts. Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, 18 Sep. 2023 The soil of Mars, for instance, contains perchlorate compounds that some Earth microbes can turn into chloride and oxygen. Saugat Bolakhe, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2023 But in 2008, the Phoenix Mars Lander discovered that martian dust is laced with perchlorate, an ingredient in rocket fuel. Marissa Grunes, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2023 This meant that perchlorate may have obscured any evidence of organic molecules that could indicate life. Carmen Drahl, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2023 Rovers and satellites have detected concentrations of toxic perchlorates—a salt so reactive that it’s used on Earth to make rocket propellant—on the Martian surface that would be swept up in the wind. Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, 8 May 2023 Because that water irrigates crops and rangeland, perchlorate also taints a variety of foods. Patrick Morgan, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2011 In 2008, the Mars Phoenix lander discovered perchlorate ions in Mars soil. Carmen Drahl, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 May 2023 The perchlorate absorbs the water and forms a salty solution. Sarah Scoles, Discover Magazine, 13 Apr. 2015

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perchlorate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perchlorate was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near perchlorate

Cite this Entry

“Perchlorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perchlorate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

perchlorate

noun
per·​chlo·​rate (ˈ)pər-ˈklō(ə)r-ˌāt How to pronounce perchlorate (audio)
-ˈklȯ(ə)r-
: a chemical compound formed by the reaction of perchloric acid with another substance

Medical Definition

perchlorate

noun
: a salt or ester of perchloric acid

More from Merriam-Webster on perchlorate

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