Definition

Noun 1. A chemical compound: A white, crystalline solid that is a hypochlorite salt of calcium. It is primarily used as a powerful bleaching and disinfecting agent. 2. A source of available chlorine: It is a common industrial chemical that releases chlorine when dissolved in water, making it effective for sanitation and water treatment.

Usage

• Calcium hypochlorite is a stable solid form of chlorine used for large-scale water purification.
• The strong oxidizing properties of calcium hypochlorite make it effective for bleaching textiles and paper pulp.
• Handling calcium hypochlorite requires care, as it can react violently with certain organic materials.

Examples

• Municipal water treatment plants often use calcium hypochlorite to disinfect drinking water.
• The swimming pool was shocked with a dose of calcium hypochlorite to eliminate algae and bacteria.
• A solution of calcium hypochlorite is commonly used to bleach cotton fabrics.

Advanced Usage

• In chemistry, calcium hypochlorite (Ca(ClO)₂) is distinct from sodium hypochlorite (common household bleach) due to its higher available chlorine content and stability.
• The term is frequently used in contexts discussing industrial chemistry, public health sanitation, and hazardous materials handling.

Variants and Related Words

• Hypochlorite (noun): The anion (ClO⁻) or a salt containing it, of which calcium hypochlorite is one type.
• Bleaching powder: A common, somewhat impure commercial form of calcium hypochlorite mixed with calcium hydroxide and chloride.

Synonyms

• Bleaching powder
• Chlorinated lime (a historical, less pure form)
• Calcium oxychloride (an alternative chemical name)

Notes on Meaning

This term has a highly specific, technical meaning in chemistry and industrial applications. It does not have idiomatic or phrasal verb uses. Its primary meaning is consistently that of a specific chemical compound used for its oxidizing and disinfecting properties.

Noun

1. any hypochlorite of calcium; used as a bleaching agent