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
1
: a substance obtained by a chemical process or producing a chemical effect
2
Examples of chemical in a Sentence
Adjective
They studied the compound's chemical structure.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Hormones are chemical messengers that guide sleep, metabolism, stress, and reproductive health.
—Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2025
Kevin Fixler
september 20, Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2025
Harsh chemicals, such as bleach or glass cleaners that contain ammonia, can damage the protective finish of stainless steel.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chemical
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Adjective
This chemical discovery by the University of Maine, the USDA Forest Products Laboratory and the University of Wisconsin could help to address one of the main factors driving high prices for medications like cholesterol-lowering drugs and antibiotics—the cost of production.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Hormones are chemical messengers that guide sleep, metabolism, stress, and reproductive health.
—Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
The lawsuit cited concerns that the project would use toxic chemicals to extract gold, which could harm sensitive ecosystems and salmon near the border of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.
—Kevin Fixler
september 20, Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2025
Harsh chemicals, such as bleach or glass cleaners that contain ammonia, can damage the protective finish of stainless steel.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chemical
Cite this Entry
“Chemical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemical. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
chemical
2 of 2 noun1
: a substance (as an element or chemical compound) obtained by a chemical process or used for producing a chemical effect
2
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