hazmat

noun

haz·​mat ˈhaz-ˌmat 

often attributive

: a material (such as flammable or poisonous material) that would be a danger to life or to the environment if released without precautions

Did you know?

The origin of "hazmat" is clear enough - it was formed by combining the first three letters of each of two words: "hazardous" and "material." The word hazmat is fairly young, first appearing in print in 1980. Although it is a noun, "hazmat" tends to be used attributively, meaning that it often appears in sentences before another noun as if it were performing the duties of an adjective (as in "hazmat team" and "hazmat worker").

Examples of hazmat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Men in hazmat suits were going into the tent with hazmat bags while NYPD detectives waited outside. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025

Porter County has been without a hazmat commander since the Aug. 24 cancer death of Commander Greg Eckhardt, who made $59,494 per year. —Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025

The Californian Office of Emergency Services has reportedly already sent hazmat teams to homes to look for note signs of damaged batteries. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2025

The bourbon was bottled at cask strength of 118.8 proof, which is strong but nowhere near hazmat level (thankfully). —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

hazardous material

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

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Medical Definition

hazmat

noun

haz·​mat

ˈhaz-ˌmat

often attributive

: a material (as radioactive, flammable, explosive, or poisonous material) that would be a danger to life or to the environment if released without necessary precautions being taken

toxic waste hauled away by workers in hazmat suits

—Tom Spousta

hazmat storage