chemical weathering

American  

noun

Geology.

1. any of the various weathering processes that cause exposed rock to undergo chemical decomposition, changing the chemical and mineralogical composition of the rock.

   Oxygen and acids are agents in chemical weathering.

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Etymology

Origin of chemical weathering

First recorded in 1870–75

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Compare meaning

How does chemical-weathering compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• mechanical weathering vs. chemical weathering

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chemical weathering

These changes accelerate chemical weathering, a process that can consume atmospheric CO2.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 20, 2026

Broz explained that on Earth, kaolinite is most commonly found in tropical environments such as rainforests, where heavy rainfall drives intense chemical weathering.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 27, 2026

When it's warmer, chemical weathering increases in rate and therefore it gets colder and colder till now, chemical weathering isn't working as fast.

From Salon ● Dec. 19, 2022

Mechanical weathering provides fresh surfaces for attack by chemical processes, and chemical weathering weakens the rock so that it is more susceptible to mechanical weathering.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

There are two main types of chemical weathering.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

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