chemistry

noun chem·is·try \ ˈke-mə-strē \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Definition of chemistry

plural chemistries

1 : a science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances and with the transformations that they undergo

2 a : the composition and chemical properties of a substance

the chemistry of iron

b : chemical processes and phenomena (as of an organism)

blood chemistry

3 a : a strong mutual attraction, attachment, or sympathy

they have a special chemistry

b : interaction between people working together; specifically : such interaction when harmonious or effective

a team lacking chemistry

See chemistry defined for English-language learners

See chemistry defined for kids

Examples of chemistry in a Sentence

studying the chemistry of gasoline
They tried dating, but there was no chemistry between them.
the chemistry of the office

Recent Examples of chemistry from the Web

Was there more depth to our relationship other than the chemistry?

— becca kufrin, PEOPLE.com, "Bachelorette Becca Kufrin Explains Her Reaction to Colton Being a Virgin: ' I Needed a Moment'," 11 July 2018
Also in 2017, the Radiological Society of North America announced a study that found an imbalance in the brain chemistry of young people addicted to smartphones and the Internet.

— edward guthmann, SFChronicle.com, "Dan Hoyle takes on the digital world in ‘Each and Every Thing’," 10 July 2018
The chemistry among actors Kelly, Sissom and Dines is palpable in their portrayal of the three longtime friends who will say most anything to each other.

— mitchel benson, sacbee, "‘Ladies Foursome’ maintains remarkable chemistry in return to B Street Theatre," 10 July 2018
Coach Nate McMillan and the rest of the Pacers top brass believed how McDermott and other additions this summer fit into the chemistry of the locker room played a significant role in how they were valued.

— jordan guskey, Indianapolis Star, "New Pacer Doug McDermott grew up a Pacers, Reggie Miller fan," 6 July 2018
Upon realizing the chemistry between the woman and a man seated next to her, Blair posted about it on her social media throughout the ride –– and the story quickly became an internet sensation.

— christopher brito, CBS News, "Passenger unintentionally pairs strangers on flight, documents budding romance on Twitter," 4 July 2018
The lithium-ion battery pack—approximately 43kWh in capacity—is bespoke to the car, and the cell chemistry has been optimized for power density and performance rather than energy density and range.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "7:57:148—Volkswagen makes racing history with record-breaking electric race car," 29 June 2018
The chemistry involved, which is pretty straightforward, means the method should be reasonably easy to scale up.

— The Economist, "Making medical clothing that kills bugs," 28 June 2018
The movie is grounded, too, in the tough-guy chemistry between Brolin and Del Toro, whose characters understand each other as men with blood on their hands, in a line of work where there is no soap.

— gary thompson, Philly.com, "'Sicario: Day of the Soldado': On the border between action and exploitation," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chemistry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of chemistry

see chemist

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1646

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

CHEMISTRY Defined for English Language Learners

chemistry

noun

Definition of chemistry for English Language Learners

: a science that deals with the structure and properties of substances and with the changes that they go through
: the structure and properties of a substance : the way a substance changes and reacts with other substances
: a strong attraction between people