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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 Then, in August, 2020, the F.S.B. poisoned Navalny with Novichok, a chemical weapon. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024 The unidentified individual offered to provide guidance on missiles and unmanned aircraft, as well as the construction of a chemical weapon. Joby Warrick, Washington Post, 22 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for chemical weapon 

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 5 Nov. 2024.

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