photochemical

adjective

pho·​to·​chem·​i·​cal ˌfō-tō-ˈke-mi-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or resulting from the chemical action of radiant energy and especially light

photochemical smog

2

: of or relating to photochemistry

photochemical studies

photochemically

ˌfō-tō-ˈke-mi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of photochemical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The franchise’s first four films — Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, and Thor — were shot on standard 35mm photochemical film. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

The latter are basically photochemical smog created when intense radiation breaks the molecules down. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 May 2026

Technology has replaced the medium’s material substrate—once photochemical, now primarily electronic—and repeatedly modified its syntax, its narrative codes, its standards of realism. — Dennis Lim, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026

Not the good, high-altitude ozone that shields us from dangerous UV light, but bad ozone, hovering right above ground level — stinking, brownish, grayish photochemical smog. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for photochemical

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

Medical Definition

photochemical

adjective

pho·​to·​chem·​i·​cal ˌfōt-ō-ˈkem-i-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or resulting from the chemical action of radiant energy and especially light

photochemical smog

2

: of or relating to photochemistry

photochemical studies

photochemically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb