chemical

[kem-i-kuhl]

noun

1. a substance produced by or used in a chemical process.

2. Slang.,  chemicals, narcotic or mind-altering drugs or substances.

adjective

1. of, used in, produced by, or concerned with chemistry or chemicals.

   a chemical formula; chemical agents.

2. used in chemical warfare.

   chemical weapons.

chemical

/ ˈkɛmɪkəl /

noun

1. any substance used in or resulting from a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules, especially one derived artificially for practical use

adjective

1. of or used in chemistry

   chemical balance

2. of, made from, or using chemicals

   chemical fertilizer

chemical

1. Relating to or produced by means of chemistry.

1. A substance having a specific molecular composition, obtained by or used in a chemical process.

Other Word Forms

• chemically adverb
• nonchemical adjective
• prechemical adjective
• pseudochemical adjective
• semichemical adjective
• semichemically adverb
• superchemical adjective
• superchemically adverb
• unchemical adjective
• unchemically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of chemical¹

1570–80; chemic + -al ¹; replacing chimical chemic

Example Sentences

An inquiry from The Times to the federal chemical board received an automatic out-of-office reply, citing the federal government shutdown.

From Los Angeles Times

Melo said he takes measures to prevent workers from absorbing or inhaling toxic chemicals.

From Los Angeles Times

The men worked out how to build constructions with large spaces between the molecules, through which gases and other chemicals can flow.

From BBC

The Hepa 700 machines roar noisily, and are accompanied by signs explaining how they "scrub tear gas and other chemicals from the air".

From BBC

"This is not an isolated issue. It is part of the same structural crisis that is hitting chemicals companies across the UK and EU," he added.

From BBC

Related Words

• synthetic