particulate

1 of 2

adjective

par·​tic·​u·​late pär-ˈti-kyə-lət 

 also  -ˌlāt

: of or relating to minute separate particles

particulate

2 of 2

noun

: a particulate substance

Examples of particulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Over the past 25 years alone, particulate air pollution in the country has dropped by more than 30 percent. —Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025

Every breath, it is feared, could contain the particulate residue of lithium EV batteries, asbestos tiles, lead, benzene and other volatile compounds contained in paint, plastics, electronics and furniture. —Elycia Rubin, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025

Noun

Extended exposure to pollutants like ozone or fine particulate matter can lead to coughing, throat irritation and shortness of breath, and . —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

So does exposure to fine particulate matter pollution in the third trimester of development and the first year of life, according to a 2019 study. —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin particula

First Known Use

Adjective

1870, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1942, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing particulate

• particulate inheritance

Rhymes for particulate

• apiculate
• denticulate
• geniculate
• reticulate
• inarticulate

Kids Definition

particulate

noun

par·​tic·​u·​late

pər-ˈtik-yə-lət,

pär-,

-ˌlāt

: a substance made up of very small separate particles

Medical Definition

particulate

1 of 2 adjective

par·​tic·​u·​late pär-ˈtik-yə-lət 

1

: of, relating to, or existing in the form of minute separate particles

dust, smoke, and other particulate matter

2

: of or relating to particulate inheritance

the particulate theory of heredity

—Julian Huxley

particulate

2 of 2 noun

: a particulate substance

emission of particulates by car engines

cytoplasmic particulates in the cell