: a colorless pungent fuming vesicant liquid acid CH2O2 found especially in ants and in many plants and used chiefly in dyeing and finishing textiles
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These ants bite, excrete formic acid, and prey on various insects and even small animals.
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Kim Luciani, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
To account for this, the team used flour and formic acid instead of water.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
The formic acid breaks up the giant stacks of spirals–or helices–that make up starch.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
As a form of defense against predators, the yellow crazy ants release a burst of formic acid which can blind anyone on their trail.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
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Kim Luciani, The Enquirer, 14 July 2025
To account for this, the team used flour and formic acid instead of water.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
The formic acid breaks up the giant stacks of spirals–or helices–that make up starch.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Nov. 2024
As a form of defense against predators, the yellow crazy ants release a burst of formic acid which can blind anyone on their trail.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for formic acid
Cite this Entry
“Formic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formic%20acid. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formic acid
noun
for·mic acid
ˌfȯr-mik- 
: a colorless strong-smelling acid that irritates the skin, is found in insects (as ants) and in many plants, and is used chiefly in dyeing and finishing woven fabrics
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