chemical weapon

noun

: a weapon (such as mustard gas or sarin) used in chemical warfare

Examples of chemical weapon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Dow manufactured napalm, the chemical weapon used by the military to defoliate the jungles of Vietnam while severely burning and killing substantial numbers of civilians. TIME, 10 May 2024 Numerous charges have been leveled against the alleged kingpin, including for murder, kidnapping, assault, racketeering, bank fraud, use of a chemical weapon and cocaine distribution. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 9 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chemical weapon 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'chemical weapon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chemical weapon was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near chemical weapon

Cite this Entry

“Chemical weapon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemical%20weapon. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on chemical weapon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!