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

Tim Doggett is the chief executive of the Chemical Business Association which represents the chemical supply chain from manufacturers to distributors, transporters and traders, and director of the Trade Association Forum in the UK.

From BBC

Research suggests pets can introduce these chemicals into the environment through feces, urine, and even shed hair.

From Science Daily

One middle-school band director wanted to understand why his students are so drawn to what he calls “a chemical weapon.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Dopamine is a chemical that helps regulate movement but also plays a key role in motivation and reward, which can be overstimulated by these medications.

From BBC

Investors already know the chemical business is struggling.

From Barron's

Related Words

• synthetic