chemical

1 of 2

adjective

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

chemically

ˈke-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

chemical

2 of 2

noun

1

: a substance obtained by a chemical process or producing a chemical effect

2

: drug sense 2

Examples of chemical in a Sentence

Adjective

They studied the compound's chemical structure.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Early findings suggest the object is carrying chemical clues from a distant, unknown planetary system that's likely older than our own. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 28 Nov. 2025

Together, these processes enable stable and efficient extraction even under difficult chemical conditions. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025

Noun

There, a team led by chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Xiao Su, has been spending time disassembling batteries and then submerging them in an organic solvent. —New Atlas, 30 Nov. 2025

That's a class of chemicals, used by manufacturers for decades to make things like nonstick pans, cosmetics, raincoats, food wrappers and firefighting foam. —NPR, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

chemic or its source, Medieval Latin chimicus + -al entry 1

Noun

derivative of chemical entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing chemical

• chemical castration
• chemical engineering
• chemical laser
• chemical peel
• chemical reaction
• chemical warfare
• chemical weapon
• forever chemical
• multiple chemical sensitivity

Rhymes for chemical

• academical
• agrochemical
• biochemical
• cytochemical
• geochemical
• histochemical
• microchemical
• neurochemical
• petrochemical
• photochemical
• phytochemical
• spectrochemical

Kids 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

chemically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

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

chemically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

chemical

2 of 2 noun

1

: a substance (as an element or chemical compound) obtained by a chemical process or used for producing a chemical effect

2

: drug sense 2