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

My advice to farmers is to learn more about why minimizing chemical use in our foods can promote public health. —Tom Gauthier, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

The rover found chemical signatures and structures that are consistent with the activity of ancient microbial life. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 21 May 2025

Noun

While the state's previous protocol included pages of detailed instructions on procurement, storage, testing and transfer for the chemicals, the new protocol has just one page outlining details for pentobarbital. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 23 May 2025

Pesticides are named as a potential risk to be studied alongside a list that includes PFAS, microplastics, fluoride, electromagnetic radiation and chemicals used to make plastics. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 22 May 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