chemical

1 of 2

adjective

chem·​i·​cal ˈke-mi-kəl How to pronounce chemical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, used in, or produced by chemistry or the phenomena of chemistry
chemical reactions
2
a
: acting or operated or produced by chemicals
a chemical fire extinguisher
b
: detectable by chemical means
chemically adverb

chemical

2 of 2

noun

1
: a substance obtained by a chemical process or producing a chemical effect
2

Examples of chemical in a Sentence

Adjective They studied the compound's chemical structure.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Scientists have examined the chemical composition of the skeletons of centuries-old spongy sea creatures living in the Caribbean Sea to piece together a new history of the earliest decades of global warming. Cara Buckley, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 But the researchers found something else, too, in their bladders: mast cells, immune cells that play a role in allergies and asthma by releasing the chemical histamine. Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 1 Mar. 2024 According to the Pesticides Atlas for Nigeria, a startling 58% of the pesticides approved in the country contain chemical components prohibited in the EU. Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Instead of your typical liquid sunscreen for face, this combines broad-spectrum SPF 50 (chemical agents homosalate 10%, octocrylene 10%, octisalate 5%, and avobenzone 3%), rice bran, dragon and cloudberry fruit extracts into a jelly-like balm that applies clear when stroked onto the skin. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 29 Feb. 2024 That’s when one chemical is publicly discovered to be harmful, phased out and then replaced with a chemical cousin that turns out to be similarly harmful. Gerald Markowitz, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024 The sheriff’s spokesman said the Special Enforcement Detail team deployed a chemical agent into Wilson’s apartment to push him into coming out and surrendering to the deputies. Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 24 Feb. 2024 Our group is now working on limits for two other domains: oceans and chemical pollution such as microplastics. Joyeeta Gupta, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024 Unlike mineral sunscreens, which can leave a white residue, this chemical sunscreen does not leave a white cast when applied to the skin. Ambrosia V. Brody, Parents, 20 Feb. 2024
Noun
The opposition far outweighed those in support, namely, the chemical manufacturing industry. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024 Sultan Al Jaber The CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. oversaw his company becoming a strategic partner with Reliance in a $2 billion chemical project in the United Arab Emirates. Anto Antony, Fortune Asia, 1 Mar. 2024 Jonathan Lock was placed on leave as CFO of chemical manufacturer Chemoros (NYSE: CC), along with the CEO Mark Newman, and principal accounting officer Camela Wisel. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2024 Retinoids, a group of chemical compounds derived from vitamin A, commonly cause issues for tweens and young teens who don’t need them, dermatologists said. Katie Mogg, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 Bioluminescence is a chemical process through which living organisms produce light. Scott Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Digestive enzymes within the chemical mix liquify the unmoving prey, forming a delicious, spider-friendly smoothie that the tarantula then slurps up. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 After her studies in Padua, Ms. Camber worked for more than a decade for Montecatini, a major Italian chemical firm. Emily Langer, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 The law kept this chemical out of new plastics, paints and other products. Gerald Markowitz, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chemical.' 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

Adjective

chemic or its source, Medieval Latin chimicus + -al entry 1

Noun

derivative of chemical entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chemical was in 1576

Dictionary Entries Near chemical

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

chemical

1 of 2 adjective
chem·​i·​cal ˈkem-i-kəl How to pronounce chemical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, used in, or produced by chemistry
2
: acting or operated or produced by chemicals
chemically adverb

chemical

2 of 2 noun
: a substance (as an element or compound) obtained from a chemical process or used to get a chemical result

Medical Definition

chemical

1 of 2 adjective
chem·​i·​cal ˈkem-i-kəl How to pronounce chemical (audio)
1
: of, relating to, used in, or produced by chemistry
2
a
: acting or operated or produced by chemicals
b
: detectable by chemical means
chemically adverb

chemical

2 of 2 noun
1
: a substance (as an element or chemical compound) obtained by a chemical process or used for producing a chemical effect
2

More from Merriam-Webster on chemical

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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