Meaning & Definition of word "Chemical"

Chemical

/ˈkɛmɪkəl/

noun:

  • 1. A substance used in or produced by a chemical process.
    • Example: The factory produces a variety of chemicals for industrial use.
  • 2. A chemical compound or element, especially one used in a specific application.
    • Example: Sodium chloride is a common chemical used as table salt.

adjective:

  • 1. Relating to chemistry or the interactions of substances.
    • Example: The chemical properties of water make it essential for life.
  • 2. Describing a substance that has been prepared or used in an experiment.
    • Example: 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.

Related Words

chemistry:

The branch of science concerned with the substances of which matter is composed.

chemist:

A scientist who studies or practices chemistry.

compound:

A substance formed when two or more chemical elements are chemically bonded together.

Slang Meanings of chemical

Meaning: Drugs or narcotics, especially those that are synthetic.

Example Sentence: He's been into some serious chem lately.

Meaning: A term used to describe a complex situation created by chemical interactions.

Example Sentence: This party was pure chem; everyone was mixing it up!