chemical weapon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequency in general discourse; medium frequency in political, military, historical, and disarmament contexts.Formal; primarily used in political, military, legal, journalistic, and academic registers.
Quick answer
What does “chemical weapon” mean?
A weapon that uses chemicals to kill, injure, or incapacitate people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A weapon that uses chemicals to kill, injure, or incapacitate people.
Any toxic chemical or its precursor that can cause death, injury, temporary incapacitation or sensory irritation through its chemical action. The term also encompasses munitions, devices and equipment specifically designed to deliver such chemicals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term identically in formal and technical contexts.
Connotations
Identically strong negative connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Frequency is context-dependent (e.g., news during a crisis) and identical across varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “chemical weapon” in a Sentence
VERB + chemical weapon (e.g., 'use', 'deploy', 'possess')ADJ + chemical weapon (e.g., 'banned', 'outlawed', 'alleged')chemical weapon + NOUN (e.g., 'attack', 'programme', 'arsenal', 'inspector')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chemical weapon” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The treaty prohibits the development of any chemical weapon.
- Inspectors were sent to verify the destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile.
- The use of chemical weapons is a war crime.
American English
- The allegations concerned the use of a chemical weapon.
- The stockpile of chemical weapons was securely stored.
- Policy makers debated the response to the chemical weapon attack.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except in very specific sectors like disarmament consultancy or hazardous material security.
Academic
Used in political science, international relations, history (e.g., WWI), security studies, and chemistry-related disarmament papers.
Everyday
Rare, except when discussing news events related to warfare, terrorism, or international disputes.
Technical
Used precisely in legal (international law), military, disarmament, and chemical safety contexts with defined parameters (CWC schedules).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chemical weapon”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chemical weapon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chemical weapon”
- Misspelling as 'chemcial weapon'.
- Using 'chemical weapon' to refer to pesticides or industrial accidents (those are 'chemical hazards' or 'toxic releases').
- Confusing with 'biological weapons' (which use living organisms like bacteria).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Under the Chemical Weapons Convention, tear gas is classified as a 'riot control agent'. Its use in warfare is banned, but it is permitted for domestic law enforcement. It occupies a grey area in public discussion.
The first large-scale use was during World War I, starting at the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915 when German forces released chlorine gas.
Chemical weapons use toxic, man-made chemicals (e.g., nerve gas, blister agents) to cause harm. Biological weapons use living microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses) or their toxins to cause disease and death.
Yes, there have been credible allegations and confirmed uses in recent conflicts, such as in Syria, which have been investigated by international bodies like the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons).
A weapon that uses chemicals to kill, injure, or incapacitate people.
Chemical weapon is usually formal; primarily used in political, military, legal, journalistic, and academic registers. in register.
Chemical weapon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkemɪkəl ˈwɛpən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɛmɪkəl ˈwɛpən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A chemical weapons taboo (the strong international norm against their use)”
- “To cross the chemical weapons red line”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'chemical' (like in a lab) + 'weapon' (used to harm). It's a lab-made tool for harm, banned by most countries.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualised as a 'line' that must not be crossed in warfare (a moral/legal boundary). Also framed as a 'taboo' or a 'plague'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically considered a classic example of a chemical weapon?