chem·i·cal
ˈke-mi-kəl 
1
: of, relating to, used in, or produced by chemistry or the phenomena of chemistry
chemical reactions
2
a
: acting or operated or produced by chemicals
a chemical fire extinguisher
b
: detectable by chemical means
1
: a substance obtained by a chemical process or producing a chemical effect
2
Examples of chemical in a Sentence
Adjective
They studied the compound's chemical structure.
Recent Examples on the Web
Evan Bush, NBC News, 7 Jan. 2025
In the Second Industrial Revolution, Germany led in chemical research, but the United States excelled in chemical engineering, applying advancements across industries such as petroleum, metallurgy, and food processing.
—Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Emily Mullin, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025
If water remains stagnant in a reservoir, there is a risk that chloramine, the chemical used as a disinfectant, will break down and chlorine will evaporate, leaving behind ammonia that could foster bacterial growth in the water supply.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for chemical 
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Adjective
Joseph McConnell The chemical composition of ice there and in other polar regions can yield key clues about what past environments were like.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 7 Jan. 2025
In the Second Industrial Revolution, Germany led in chemical research, but the United States excelled in chemical engineering, applying advancements across industries such as petroleum, metallurgy, and food processing.
—Michael Beckley, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
With the California fires engulfing homes and businesses, smoke in the region is likely carrying chemicals released from synthetic building materials that are more toxic than those emitted from burning vegetation.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025
If water remains stagnant in a reservoir, there is a risk that chloramine, the chemical used as a disinfectant, will break down and chlorine will evaporate, leaving behind ammonia that could foster bacterial growth in the water supply.
—Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for chemical
Dictionary Entries Near chemical
Cite this Entry
“Chemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemical. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chemical
1 of 2 adjective
chem·i·cal
ˈkem-i-kəl
1
: of, relating to, used in, or produced by chemistry
2
: acting or operated or produced by chemicals
chemical
2 of 2 noun
: a substance (as an element or compound) obtained from a chemical process or used to get a chemical result
Medical Definition
chemical
1 of 2 adjective
chem·i·cal
ˈkem-i-kəl
1
: of, relating to, used in, or produced by chemistry
2
a
: acting or operated or produced by chemicals
b
: detectable by chemical means
chemical
2 of 2 noun1
: a substance (as an element or chemical compound) obtained by a chemical process or used for producing a chemical effect
2
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