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.
Benzene on the other hand is a highly potent carcinogen and is dangerous through ingestion, skin absorption inhalation and injection. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 The Biden administration took action in the years that followed, doling out fines, stepping up air monitoring and tightening emissions rules for one of the most extreme carcinogens. Lisa Song, ProPublica, 5 Feb. 2025 The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded in 2004 that the chemical is a human carcinogen, and the U.S. Department of Health listed it as a human carcinogen in 2011. Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025 However, some evidence suggests that aspartame may be a carcinogen. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 30 Jan. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Carcinogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinogen. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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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