geochemistry

noun

geo·​chem·​is·​try ˌjē-ō-ˈke-mə-strē How to pronounce geochemistry (audio)
1
: a science that deals with the chemical composition of and chemical changes in the solid matter of the earth or a celestial body (such as the moon)
2
: the related chemical and geologic properties of a substance
geochemical adjective
geochemically adverb
geochemist noun

Examples of geochemistry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Methane detected on their surfaces suggests hot geochemistry in their rocky cores. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 In essence, natural systems operate on the free energy of the sun, which interacts with the geochemistry of the earth to sustain productive, regenerative biological systems. William McDonough, Scientific American, 1 July 2017 The geochemistry of barnacle shells provides clues as to where the barnacles have traveled. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 1 Sep. 2023 Peslier studies the geochemistry of Earth’s mantle and the other terrestrial planets, including the hydrogen trapped within minerals. Nola Taylor Redd, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2019 Within the context of their model framework, Sujoy Mukhopadhyay, a geochemistry professor at the University of California, Davis, agrees that the core could be leaking helium-3 into the mantle. Connor Lynch, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2022 Still, lead author David L. Valentine, a professor of microbial geochemistry at UC Santa Barbara, said the findings temper hopes that microorganisms detected by scientists in the gulf have eaten up most of the oil there, as other scientists had recently suggested. Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2010 Working with a colleague who is an expert in dietary reconstruction using bone geochemistry, Hill plans to determine which of those species this particular cat might have preyed on. Steven Hill, Field & Stream, 4 Apr. 2023 The answer is hidden in the eggs' geochemistry. Katie Hunt, CNN, 17 Apr. 2022

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

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of geochemistry was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near geochemistry

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

geochemistry

noun
geo·​chem·​is·​try ˈjē-ō-ˈkem-ə-strē How to pronounce geochemistry (audio)
: a science that deals with the chemical composition of and chemical changes in the solid material of the earth or of another body (as the moon)
geochemical adjective
geochemist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on geochemistry

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