chemistry Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions
    chemical science.
  2. noun the chemical composition and properties of a substance or object
    • the chemistry of soil
  3. noun the way two individuals relate to each other
    interpersonal chemistry; alchemy.
    • their chemistry was wrong from the beginning -- they hated each other
    • a mysterious alchemy brought them together

WordNet

Chem"is*try noun
Etymology
From Chemist. See Alchemy.
Definitions
  1. That branch of science which treats of the composition of substances, and of the changes which they undergo in consequence of alterations in the constitution of the molecules, which depend upon variations of the number, kind, or mode of arrangement, of the constituent atoms. These atoms are not assumed to be indivisible, but merely the finest grade of subdivision hitherto attained. Chemistry deals with the changes in the composition and constitution of molecules. See Atom, Molecule. ✍ Historically, chemistry is an outgrowth of alchemy (or alchemistry), with which it was anciently identified.
  2. An application of chemical theory and method to the consideration of some particular subject; as, the chemistry of iron; the chemistry of indigo.
  3. A treatise on chemistry. ✍ This word and its derivatives were formerly written with y, and sometimes with i, instead of e, in the first syllable, chymistry, chymist, chymical, etc., or chimistry, chimist, chimical, etc.; and the pronunciation was conformed to the orthography.

Webster 1913