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

Sam Garcia, a Mexican American rancher and scientist who raises cattle in Sonora, told CNN that any livestock entering the US will be inspected numerous times for screwworm before being dipped in a chemical bath. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Its portfolio includes Standard 100, which tests finished products and their components for harmful substances, as well as labels and certifications covering chemical inputs, organic cotton, production facilities and supply-chain due diligence. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

More studies are showing the wide-ranging negative health impacts of inhaling wildfire smoke, which is especially toxic when blazes tear through urban areas and burn up household appliances, batteries and chemicals. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Zhang said anticorrosive coatings, adhesives and chemical buffering agents made for military aircraft could be adapted for civilian programs, including the C919 and the C929 widebody aircraft under development. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

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