chemical

[ kem-i-kuhl ]

noun

1. a substance produced by or used in a chemical process.
2. chemicals, Slang. narcotic or mind-altering drugs or substances.

adjective

1. of, used in, produced by, or concerned with chemistry or chemicals:

   a chemical formula; chemical agents.

2. used in chemical warfare:

   chemical weapons.

chemical

/ ˈkɛmɪkəl /

noun

1. any substance used in or resulting from a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules, especially one derived artificially for practical use

adjective

1. of or used in chemistry

   chemical balance

2. of, made from, or using chemicals

   chemical fertilizer

chemical

/ kĕm′ĭ-kəl /

Adjective

1. Relating to or produced by means of chemistry.

Noun

1. A substance having a specific molecular composition, obtained by or used in a chemical process.

Derived Forms

• ˈchemically, adverb

Other Words From

• chemi·cal·ly adverb
• non·chemi·cal adjective noun
• pre·chemi·cal adjective
• pseudo·chemi·cal adjective
• semi·chemi·cal adjective
• semi·chemi·cal·ly adverb
• super·chemi·cal adjective noun
• super·chemi·cal·ly adverb
• un·chemi·cal adjective
• un·chemi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of chemical¹

1570–80; chemic + -al ¹; replacing chimical chemic

Example Sentences

This research is one of several discoveries on African chemical compounds that came from the collaboration between Wistar and the University of Buea Centre for Drug Discovery, which began in 2021.

From Science Daily

That mRNA is read and translated at a cell's ribosome to create more proteins, important for the chemical and physical function of every organism.

From Science Daily

Today, two groups report in Nature the discovery of catalysts that could offer a cheaper way to clean up the chemicals.

From Science Magazine

However, their capacity decreases with each charging cycle due to structural and chemical changes.

From Science Daily

They introduced an iodine-reducing agent to inhibit the chemical reactions that cause the cells to degrade over time.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• synthetic