chemical property

American  

[kem-i-kuhl prop-er-tee] / ˈkɛm ɪ kəl ˈprɒp ər ti /

noun

1. Chemistry. a property or characteristic of a substance that is observed during a reaction in which the chemical composition or identity of the substance is changed.

   Combustibility is an important chemical property to consider when choosing building materials.

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Usage

What is a chemical property? A chemical property is a characteristic of a particular substance that can be observed in a chemical reaction. Some major chemical properties include flammability, toxicity, heat of combustion, pH value, rate of radioactive decay, and chemical stability. A chemical change or reaction is a process in which one substance changes to another substance. In this process, the characteristics of the substances change, and this is when chemical properties are observed. A chemical property is not to be confused with a physical property, which includes such characteristics as shape (volume and size), color, texture, flexibility, density, and mass.

Etymology

Origin of chemical property

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

At the time of his prizewinning research, Robson had already suspected that the method could result in materials with fresh, potentially beneficial properties.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025

Researchers program strands of DNA to "direct" the self-assembly process towards molecular arrangements that give rise to beneficial properties, such as electrical conductivity, photosensitivity, and magnetism.

From Science Daily • Jan. 24, 2024

Coffee may have some beneficial properties, but not everything in it is considered safe.

From Salon • Oct. 4, 2022

It tags passersby according to their mood, which charges their blood with beneficial properties.

From The Guardian • Feb. 21, 2020

Had you expended it in guano or other special manures, whose beneficial properties are exhausted in some two or three years, your expenditure should be returned within that period.

From Farm drainage The Principles, Processes, and Effects of Draining Land with Stones, Wood, Plows, and Open Ditches, and Especially with Tiles by French, Henry F. (Henry Flagg)