chemical reaction

American  

[kem-i-kuhl ree-ak-shuhn] / ˈkɛm ɪ kəl riˈæk ʃən /

noun

1. Chemistry. reaction.

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chemical reaction British  

noun

1. a process that involves changes in the structure and energy content of atoms, molecules, or ions but not their nuclei Compare nuclear reaction

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chemical reaction Cultural  

1. A process in which atoms of the same or different elements rearrange themselves to form a new substance. While they do so, they either absorb heat or give it off.

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Etymology

Origin of chemical reaction

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chemical reaction

A catalyst is a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without being permanently changed in the process, Stylianou said.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 4, 2026

This sets off a chemical reaction freeing phosphorus, a primary nutrient for the algae, from the lake floor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

The powders and the coating are carried by gas and brought together in a chemical reaction.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

They then triggered a chemical reaction that converted it into the smaller strained ring in a single step.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 6, 2026

Sabbatini bent over his SmartDraw pad and sketched out a molecular structure that described the chemical reaction Nicole had just verbalized.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

Related Words

• vicious circle