Meaning & Definition
noun
A substance used in or produced by a chemical process.
The factory produces a variety of chemicals for industrial use.
A chemical compound or element, especially one used in a specific application.
Sodium chloride is a common chemical used as table salt.
adjective
Relating to chemistry or the interactions of substances.
The chemical properties of water make it essential for life.
Describing a substance that has been prepared or used in an experiment.
The chemical reaction produced a gas that was visible to the naked eye.
Etymology
From Greek 'khēmia', meaning 'art of transmuting metals'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
chemical imbalance:
A disturbance in the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
chemical warfare:
The use of chemical agents to harm or kill enemies.
chemical reaction:
A process that leads to the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another.
Slang Meanings
Drugs or narcotics, especially those that are synthetic.
He's been into some serious chem lately.
A term used to describe a complex situation created by chemical interactions.
This party was pure chem; everyone was mixing it up!