chemical

American  

[kem-i-kuhl] / ˈkɛm ɪ kəl /

noun

1. a substance produced by or used in a chemical process.

2. Slang. chemicals, narcotic or mind-altering drugs or substances.

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adjective

1. of, used in, produced by, or concerned with chemistry or chemicals.

   a chemical formula; chemical agents.

2. used in chemical warfare.

   chemical weapons.

chemical British  

/ ˈkɛmɪkəl /

noun

1. any substance used in or resulting from a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules, especially one derived artificially for practical use

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adjective

1. of or used in chemistry

   chemical balance

2. of, made from, or using chemicals

   chemical fertilizer

chemical Scientific  

/ kĕm′ĭ-kəl /

1. Relating to or produced by means of chemistry.

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1. A substance having a specific molecular composition, obtained by or used in a chemical process.

Other Word Forms

• chemically adverb
• nonchemical adjective
• prechemical adjective
• pseudochemical adjective
• semichemical adjective
• semichemically adverb
• superchemical adjective
• superchemically adverb
• unchemical adjective
• unchemically adverb

Etymology

Origin of chemical

1570–80; chemic + -al ¹; replacing chimical chemic

Example Sentences

Together, these sensors convert stretch and pressure into electrical and chemical signals that help synchronize contractions.

From Science Daily

Hydrocarbons and chemical compounds like industrial alcohols and plastics accounted for the bulk of Tehran's exports to Beijing.

From Barron's

Major Mercosur exports to the EU include agricultural products and minerals, while the EU would export machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals with lowered tariffs applied.

From Barron's

Meantime, tariffs have pushed up the cost of materials like chemicals and steel tubes, Midland oil executives say.

From The Wall Street Journal

Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy while releasing oxygen.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• synthetic