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
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026
Termites will always search for new sources of damp wood, so aside from chemical treatment, the best way to prevent an infestation is to avoid leaks and reduce moisture in your home, as well as avoid damp wood outside, like rotting stumps and firewood piles.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Lee Billings, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
Scripps Oceanography scientists recently had the opportunity to look at the species, called Polykrikos kofoidii, in a new and unprecedented way, including its unique hunting behavior and ability to produce light through a chemical process known as bioluminescence.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chemical
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Adjective
The light triggered a chemical rearrangement inside the crystal, reshaping its internal architecture and creating tiny cavities capable of trapping water molecules from the air.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026
Termites will always search for new sources of damp wood, so aside from chemical treatment, the best way to prevent an infestation is to avoid leaks and reduce moisture in your home, as well as avoid damp wood outside, like rotting stumps and firewood piles.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Noun
These key insights arise from JWST’s ability to perform spectroscopy on LAP1-B, spreading the tiny galaxy’s light into a rainbowlike spectrum of colors; the specific mix of colors can reveal an object’s chemical composition.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
Scripps Oceanography scientists recently had the opportunity to look at the species, called Polykrikos kofoidii, in a new and unprecedented way, including its unique hunting behavior and ability to produce light through a chemical process known as bioluminescence.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for chemical
Cite this Entry
“Chemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemical. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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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