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chemical

[kem-i-kuh l]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR chemical ON THESAURUS.COM

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.
used in chemical warfare: chemical weapons.

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RELATED WORDS

synthetic, actinic, alchemical, enzymatic, synthetical

Nearby words

  1. chem.e.,
  2. chemautotroph,
  3. chemexfoliation,
  4. chemi-,
  5. chemic,
  6. chemical abuse,
  7. chemical antidote,
  8. chemical attraction,
  9. chemical bond,
  10. chemical change

Origin of chemical

1570–80; chemic + -al1; replacing chimical chemic
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for chemical

British Dictionary definitions for chemical

chemical

noun

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

adjective

of or used in chemistrychemical balance
of, made from, or using chemicalschemical fertilizer
Derived Formschemically, 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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for chemical

chemical

[kĕm′ĭ-kəl]

adj.

Of or relating to chemistry.
Of or relating to the properties or actions of chemicals.

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.
Related formschem′i•cal•ly adv.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for chemical

chemical

[kĕm′ĭ-kəl]

Adjective

Relating to or produced by means of chemistry.

Noun

A substance having a specific molecular composition, obtained by or used in a chemical process.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.