noun a substance produced by or used in a chemical process.
chemicals, Slang narcotic or mind-altering drugs or substances.
adjective of, used in, produced by, or concerned with chemistry or chemicals: a chemical formula; chemical agents. Origin of chemical 1570–80; chemic +
-al1 ; replacing
chimical chemic
Related forms chem·i·cal·ly , adverb non·chem·i·cal , adjective, noun pre·chem·i·cal , adjective pseu·do·chem·i·cal , adjective sem·i·chem·i·cal , adjective sem·i·chem·i·cal·ly , adverb su·per·chem·i·cal , adjective, noun su·per·chem·i·cal·ly , adverb un·chem·i·cal , adjective un·chem·i·cal·ly , adverb Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for chemical Contemporary Examples of chemical Methane (chemical formula CH4) is one of the simplest hydrocarbons, which literally means “containing hydrogen and carbon.”
Lakes on Titan are full of methane, and the chemical is a major component of the giant planets Jupiter, Neptune, and so forth.
One chemical test involves measuring the relative amount of deuterium in water.
“Almost all of our human activities leave a chemical trace in the water,” says Alm.
With scarlet lips and chemical red hair, the erstwhile agent is still making headlines in the West.
Historical Examples of chemical The air was saturated by it just as water may hold a chemical in solution.
He took a house near the chemical laboratory, to which he brought his wife and family.
But happily for me they accepted my statement as to their chemical nature in other respects.
There is also a change in chemical conditions, the water at least being decomposed.
In the latter the union is mechanical; in the former it is chemical .
British Dictionary definitions for chemical noun any substance used in or resulting from a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules, especially one derived artificially for practical use
Show More
adjective of or used in chemistry chemical balance
of, made from, or using chemicals chemical fertilizer
Show More
Derived Forms chemically , adverb Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for chemical adj. 1570s, "relating to chemistry," from chemic "of alchemy" (a worn-down derivative of Medieval Latin alchimicus ; see alchemy ) + -al (1). In early use also of alchemy. Related: Chemically .
Show More
n. 1747, from chemical (adj.). Related: Chemicals .
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
adj. Of or relating to chemistry.
Of or relating to the properties or actions of chemicals.
Show More
n. A substance with a distinct molecular composition that is produced by or used in a chemical process.
A drug, especially an illicit or addictive one.
Show More
Related forms chem′ i•cal•ly adv. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Adjective Relating to or produced by means of chemistry.
Show More
Noun A substance having a specific molecular composition, obtained by or used in a chemical process.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
