chemical engineering

American  

noun

1. the science or profession of applying chemistry to industrial processes.

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chemical engineering British  

noun

1. the branch of engineering concerned with the design, operation, maintenance, and manufacture of the plant and machinery used in industrial chemical processes

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chemical engineering Scientific  

1. The branch of engineering that deals with the manufacture of products through chemical processes. These products include, among others, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, microelectronic devices, polymers, and products used in food processing and in biotechnology.

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Other Word Forms

• chemical engineer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of chemical engineering

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

“Frankly we aren’t even sure what that means,” wrote Stacy Rasgon, an 18-year chip analyst at Bernstein who has a Ph.D. in chemical engineering.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

It was rescued and saved by Rick Flagan, a professor of chemical engineering and environmental science, who found it in a tin film canister in a Caltech closet.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The local connection was supposedly provided by Francisco "Buka Tanda" Oliveira, a youth leader for Angola's main opposition party, Unita, who speaks Russian after having studied chemical engineering in Russia between 2015 and 2019.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Lashier, who has a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, became head of the company in 2022.

From Barron's • Jan. 10, 2026

Naturally, chemical engineering is very important, but its magnitude and complexity is in no sense parallel with the intricacy of the chemical molecule, whereas a distinct parallel exists for the mechanical war appliance.

From The Riddle of the Rhine; chemical strategy in peace and war by Lefebure, Victor