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
Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
The Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico found trace amounts of the chemical solvent acetone in Hackman’s system, which indicates prolonged fasting, noted the report obtained by The Associated Press.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Synthetic chemicals called phthalates, found in consumer products such as food storage containers, shampoo, makeup, perfume and children’s toys, may have contributed to more than 10% of all global mortality from heart disease in 2018 among men and women ages 55 through 64, a new study found.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chemical
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Adjective
The chemical lobby demanded Trump make the locations of high-risk chemical plants secret.
—Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
The Office of the Medical Investigator in New Mexico found trace amounts of the chemical solvent acetone in Hackman’s system, which indicates prolonged fasting, noted the report obtained by The Associated Press.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
The ballots of the final round are burned with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Synthetic chemicals called phthalates, found in consumer products such as food storage containers, shampoo, makeup, perfume and children’s toys, may have contributed to more than 10% of all global mortality from heart disease in 2018 among men and women ages 55 through 64, a new study found.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chemical
Cite this Entry
“Chemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemical. Accessed 7 May. 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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