geochemistry

noun

geo·​chem·​is·​try ˌjē-ō-ˈke-mə-strē 

1

: a science that deals with the chemical composition of and chemical changes in the solid matter of the earth or a celestial body (such as the moon)

2

: the related chemical and geologic properties of a substance

geochemical

ˌjē-ō-ˈke-mi-kəl 

adjective

geochemically

ˌjē-ō-ˈke-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

geochemist

ˌjē-ō-ˈke-mist 

noun

Examples of geochemistry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As part of a study funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bradley Moore, a Scripps Oceanography professor of marine biology, marine chemistry and geochemistry, worked to determine how domoic acid is produced with the hope of creating a predictive model. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025

However, fatty acids can also be produced by geochemistry, so inferring their existence on Mars 3.7 billion years ago is not necessarily proof of life. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025

Methane detected on their surfaces suggests hot geochemistry in their rocky cores. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

So, geologists use the chemical compositions of CI chondrites as the ultimate reference standard for geochemistry. —Ars Technica, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for geochemistry

• biochemistry
• cytochemistry
• histochemistry
• neurochemistry
• photochemistry
• phytochemistry
• thermochemistry
• biogeochemistry
• chemistry
• electrochemistry
• immunochemistry
• radiochemistry

Kids Definition

geochemistry

noun

geo·​chem·​is·​try ˈjē-ō-ˈkem-ə-strē 

: a science that deals with the chemical composition of and chemical changes in the solid material of the earth or of another body (as the moon)

geochemical

-ˈkem-i-kəl 

adjective

geochemist

-ˈkem-əst 

noun