carcinogen

noun

car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsi-nə-jən How to pronounce carcinogen (audio) ˈkär-sə-nə-ˌjen How to pronounce carcinogen (audio)
: a substance or agent causing cancer

Examples of carcinogen in a Sentence

Cigarette smoke contains known carcinogens.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Secondhand marijuana smoke has many of the same carcinogens and toxic chemicals as secondhand tobacco smoke, along with THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 Proactiv contained 18 times the amount of the potent carcinogen allowed in U.S. drugs, the analysis published on Monday in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found. Anna Edney/bloomberg, TIME, 7 Oct. 2024 Their casings are breaking apart and releasing carcinogens into the seas. Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024 Calla lilies are traditionally a funeral flower, so adding a few carcinogens to the arrangement kind of makes sense. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for carcinogen 

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carcinogen was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near carcinogen

Cite this Entry

“Carcinogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinogen. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

carcinogen

noun
car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsin-ə-jən How to pronounce carcinogen (audio) ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen How to pronounce carcinogen (audio)
: a substance that causes cancer
carcinogenic adjective

Medical Definition

carcinogen

noun
car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsin-ə-jən How to pronounce carcinogen (audio) ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen How to pronounce carcinogen (audio)
: a substance or agent causing cancer

More from Merriam-Webster on carcinogen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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