chemtrail

noun

chem·​trail ˈkem-ˌtrāl How to pronounce chemtrail (audio)
plural chemtrails
: a long-lasting airplane contrail believed to be composed of harmful chemical or biological agents that are dispersed as part of a conspiracy (as to manipulate the environment or the population)
In a … study of the public's belief in conspiracy theories, … 12% said world governments use chemtrails to secretly poison their people.Chas Newkey-Burden
Airplane contrails have probably gotten more than their fair share of attention over the years. In particular, they've provided consistent fodder for conspiracy theorists convinced that condensation trails are actually "chemtrails" resulting from secret government chemical spraying programs.Earth Island Journal
According to myriad conspiracy theories, some of those "harmless" vapors are instead sinister "chemtrails." … Some say the cloudy lines are part of government weather-controlling experiments; others say that they're a form of germ warfare.Benjamin Radford

Examples of chemtrail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Other calls accuse the agency of causing chemtrails — a conspiracy theory claiming that condensation trials left behind by airplanes are toxic chemicals being sprayed on people for some unspecified nefarious reason. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024 But Boots had more obscure conspiracies on her mind: chemtrails, ancient giants. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2024 Claims purporting to prove chemtrails exist have been repeatedly debunked by USA TODAY and other fact-checkers. Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 8 June 2023 False claim geoengineering is behind climate change USA TODAY, Aug. 16, 2016, Scientists disprove airplane 'chemtrail' theory Thank you for supporting our journalism. Isabella Fertel, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2023 The psychologist who refuted an entire culture of over-valuing eyewitness testimony - What the world would be like if the chemtrail conspiracy were true? Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 18 Aug. 2013 Fact check:Mexico is banning solar geoengineering, not 'chemtrails' This has not yet been developed, though, Horton and Robock said. Eleanor McCrary, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2023 According to Drury, chemtrails are a conspiracy theory. Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2023 What's the deal with chemtrails? Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chemtrail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chemtrail was in 1990

Dictionary Entries Near chemtrail

Cite this Entry

“Chemtrail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemtrail. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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