Chemical means involving or resulting from a reaction between two or more substances, or relatingto the substances that something consists of.
...chemical reactions that cause ozone destruction.
...the chemical composition of the ocean.
...chemical weapons.
chemically (kemɪkli)adverb [ADVERB with verb, ADVERB adjective]
...chemically-treated foods.
The medicine chemically affects your physiology.
2. countable noun [usually plural]
Chemicals are substances that are used in a chemical process or made by a chemical process.
The whole food chain is affected by the over-use of chemicals in agriculture.
...a chemicals company.
...the chemical industry.
Synonyms: compound, drug, substance, synthetic substance More Synonyms of chemical
chemical in British English
(ˈkɛmɪkəl)
noun
1.
any substance used in or resulting from a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules, esp one derived artificially for practical use
adjective
2.
of or used in chemistry
chemical balance
3.
of, made from, or using chemicals
chemical fertilizer
Derived forms
chemically (ˈchemically)
adverb
chemical in American English
(ˈkɛmɪkəl)
adjective
1.
of or having to do with chemistry
2.
made by or used in chemistry
3.
operated or made by the use of chemicals
chemical burns
4. US
of or involving the use of a drug, alcoholic liquor, etc.
chemical dependency
noun
5.
any substance used in or obtained by a chemical process
6. US, Slang
a drug, alcoholic beverage, etc.
Derived forms
chemically (ˈchemically)
adverb
Word origin
chemic + -al
Examples of 'chemical' in a sentence
chemical
We are sure they will use chemical weapons again.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He thought this was a cheap shot by the chemical industry to divert attention away from pesticides.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Once there it causes chemical changes affecting memory and learning.
The Sun (2017)
When we eat, all kinds of chemical reactions take place in our bodies.
The Sun (2016)
The Government hasn't set upper legal limits for this chemical in food either.
The Sun (2017)
The radiation causes chemical changes in the brain that resemble symptoms of Alzheimer's.
The Sun (2016)
What is it about the chemical reactions in our heads that give us a personality?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There are now credible claims that the regime has used chemical weapons against civilians.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Your gut and body seem to prefer good food to chemical capsules.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It means something very different in hotels from what it means in the chemical industry.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGING IN TURBULENT TIMES (1980)
Theories included ocean warming and changing chemical ocean compositions.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
One day he was mixing chemicals ready to process film.
Aidan Hartley THE ZANZIBAR CHEST: A Memoir of Love and War (2003)
This can cause potentially dangerous chemicals to be released.
The Sun (2008)
The basic unit of a compound is the molecule whose formation requires a chemical reaction.
McCahill, T. A. Biology Basic Facts (1982)
Some of the most hazardous chemicals are used in the cultivation of fruit or hops.
Lashford, Stephanie The Residue Report - an action plan for safer food (1988)
The mere presence of chemical additives in food may cause some trace elements to become unavailable.
Thompkins, Peter, Bird, Christopher Secrets of the Soil (1990)
The two forms have the same chemical composition.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Once the two are mixed the chemical hardening process begins.
Chapman, C. & Horsley, M. & Small, E. Technology Basic Facts (1990)
The contents cause chemical burns and potentially deadly breathing problems.
The Sun (2012)
The basic chemical reactions that power all life are the same.
The Sun (2013)
People said that chemicals used to remove the smell of fish made them feel ill.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The idea is that many of us are allergic to certain foods and chemicals.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
He vowed to rebuild the lab which will research cleaner chemical processes.
The Sun (2014)
Modern science has shown they reduce the chemical that causes male pattern baldness.
The Sun (2013)
He said it was like there was a chemical reaction inside him.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Environmental groups claimed that loopholes would allow companies to use chemicals that could cause health problems.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It plans to sell any extra capacity to the Teesside chemical industry.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The rover's instruments will determine the chemical composition of the powder.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
If none of these conditions exist, food or chemical allergy should definitely be suspected.
Randolph, Theron G. & Moss, Ralph W. (contributor) An Alternative Approach to Allergies (1990)
I had spent five years in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and needed a new challenge.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
A chemical company with $30 million of sales may be a fairly big business.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
In other languages
chemical
British English: chemical /ˈkɛmɪkl/ NOUN
Chemicals are substances that are used in or made by a chemical process.
...the overuse of chemicals in agriculture.
American English: chemical
Arabic: مادَة كِيميائِيَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: substância química
Chinese: 化学品
Croatian: kemikalija
Czech: chemikálie
Danish: kemikalie
Dutch: chemische stof
European Spanish: sustancia química
Finnish: kemikaali
French: produit chimique
German: Chemikalie
Greek: χημική ουσία
Italian: sostanza chimica
Japanese: 化学薬品
Korean: 화학 제품
Norwegian: kjemikalie
Polish: chemiczny
European Portuguese: substância química
Romanian: substanță chimică
Russian: химическое вещество
Latin American Spanish: sustancia química
Swedish: kemikalie
Thai: สารเคมี
Turkish: kimyasal
Ukrainian: хімікат
Vietnamese: hóa chất
All related terms of 'chemical'
chemical bond
a mutual attraction between two atoms resulting from a redistribution of their outer electrons
chemical abuse
the habitual use of a mood-altering drug, alcoholic beverage , etc.
chemical agent
an agent that produces chemical reactions
chemical attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
chemical plant
a factory that produces or processes chemicals
chemical toilet
a toilet in which waste is treated with chemicals
chemical engineer
A chemical engineer is a person who designs and constructs the machines needed for industrial chemical processes.
chemical equation
a representation of a chemical reaction using symbols of the elements to indicate the amount of substance, usually in moles , of each reactant and product
chemical machining
the shaping of a metal part by controlled removal of unwanted metal by a flow of chemical solutions
chemical peeling
a cosmetic process in which a substance containing a chemical (esp alpha-hydroxy acids) is applied to the skin of the face and peeled away to remove a layer of dead cells
chemical potential
a thermodynamic function of a substance in a system that is the partial differential of the Gibbs function of the system with respect to the number of moles of the substance
chemical reaction
a process that involves changes in the structure and energy content of atoms , molecules , or ions but not their nuclei
chemical warfare
warfare in which chemicals other than explosives are used as weapons, esp warfare using asphyxiating or nerve gases, poisons , defoliants , etc
chemical weapons
toxic chemicals used as weapons
precursor chemical
a person or thing that precedes and shows or announces someone or something to come ; harbinger
chemical castration
the use of drugs to reduce libido
chemical dependency
addiction to drugs or alcohol
chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the designing and constructing of machines that are needed for industrial chemical processes.
chemical processing
Chemical processing is a way of making changes to chemical compounds .
chemical sympathectomy
the chemical destruction of one or more parts of the sympathetic nervous system
mace
A mace is an ornamental stick carried by an official or placed somewhere as a symbol of authority .
petrochemical
Petrochemicals are chemicals that are obtained from petroleum or natural gas.
Chinese translation of 'chemical'
chemical
(ˈkɛmɪkl)
adj
[reaction, composition]化学(學)的 (huàxué de)
(Mil)[warfare, weapon]化学(學)的 (huàxué de)
n(c)
化学(學)剂(劑) (huàxuéjì) (种(種), zhǒng)
(noun)
The whole food-chain is affected by the over-use of chemicals in agriculture.