chemical warfare

American  

[kem-i-kuhl wawr-fair] / ˈkɛm ɪ kəl ˈwɔrˌfɛər /

noun

1. warfare with poisonous, asphyxiating, or corrosive gases, oil flames, etc. CW

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chemical warfare British  

noun

1. warfare in which chemicals other than explosives are used as weapons, esp warfare using asphyxiating or nerve gases, poisons, defoliants, etc

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chemical warfare Cultural  

1. The use of chemical agents as a weapon of war or terror. From the mustard gas used in World War I to the highly lethal neurotoxin Sarin that is potentially available for use today, chemicals are considered a weapon of mass destruction, and their use is condemned by most civilized nations.

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Etymology

Origin of chemical warfare

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

"We're working with the MOD and the US Department of Defence on chemical warfare protection - protective clothing and lightweight parachute systems."

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026

And the federal Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response keeps a national stockpile of supplies necessary for public health emergencies, including vaccines, medical supplies and antidotes needed in case of a chemical warfare attack.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2024

The Halas group has been developing aluminum nanoparticles for plasmonic photocatalysis reactions such as decomposition of dangerous chemical warfare agents and efficient production of commodity chemicals.

From Science Daily • Mar. 5, 2024

“So I think it was in part due to the chemical warfare, if you will,” Dr. Froines said.

From Washington Post • Jul. 15, 2022

Today we often think of biological and chemical warfare as modern inventions.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz