: a tricarboxylic acid C6H8O7 occurring in cellular metabolism, obtained especially from lemon and lime juices or by fermentation of sugars, and used chiefly as a flavoring
Examples of citric acid in a Sentence
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Internally there’s a small chamber that holds a harmless mix of citric acid and baking soda.
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Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 5 June 2025
If customers ask for something that does not grow in Michigan, like a lemon, Ms. Sample tells employees to explain the Argus mission and then offer an alternative, like citric acid, or give directions to a different store.
—Alexandra Talty, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Leake says the couple had been talking about starting a bath-bomb company, and a pile of those ingredients, including baking soda and citric acid, was on display.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
Abiotic origin of the citric acid cycle intermediates Communications Earth and Environment.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
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Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 5 June 2025
If customers ask for something that does not grow in Michigan, like a lemon, Ms. Sample tells employees to explain the Argus mission and then offer an alternative, like citric acid, or give directions to a different store.
—Alexandra Talty, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Leake says the couple had been talking about starting a bath-bomb company, and a pile of those ingredients, including baking soda and citric acid, was on display.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2025
Abiotic origin of the citric acid cycle intermediates Communications Earth and Environment.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for citric acid
Cite this Entry
“Citric acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citric%20acid. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
citric acid
noun
cit·ric acid
ˌsi-trik- 
: a pleasantly sour-tasting organic acid obtained especially from lemon and lime juices or by the chemical breakdown of sugars and used as a flavoring
Medical Definition
citric acid
noun
cit·ric acid
ˌsi-trik-
: a sour organic acid C6H8O7 occurring in cellular metabolism, obtained especially from lemon and lime juices or by fermentation of sugars, and used as a flavoring
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