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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chemical reaction

The achievement demonstrated that homochirality could be created through a chemical reaction rather than being unique to living organisms.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Lithium-ion battery fires are challenging to combat as excessive heat inside a battery creates a self-sustaining chemical reaction called thermal runaway that can then easily spread to adjacent batteries.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

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

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

One possibility is that increasing the acidity of saliva could speed up this chemical reaction.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

“You’ve smelled rotten eggs? That’s sulfur dioxide, released from the chemical reaction of rotting organic material. This is going to stink just like that.”

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

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