pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlü-tᵊnt 
plural pollutants
: something that pollutes
especially
: something (such as anthropogenic waste) that makes an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use
sources of pollutants [=pollution] in the environment
Meanwhile, scientists warned that other air pollutants—especially from automobiles—might also be contributing to health problems, forest damage and decreased crop production. —
National Wildlife
National Wildlife Formaldehyde is an important atmospheric pollutant that can be produced in photochemical smog. —Des W. Connell
Des W. Connell A 165-foot cement tower contains radium-rich blends that have given off radon gas—a pollutant that can cause cancer. —Michael H. Brown
Michael H. Brown Synonyms
Examples of pollutant in a Sentence
filtered the pollutants out of the water
Recent Examples on the Web
Specifically designed to shield your skin from environmental stressors like pollutants and free radicals—culprits behind premature aging, dullness, and inflammation—this toner does more than refresh.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Jan. 2025
Decades of health science have demonstrated that such pollutants damage the health of those who breathe them in regularly.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025
Advertisement Even in forested areas, wildfires create a wide array of pollutants, including toxic particulate matter that can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing respiratory issues, cancer and other health problems.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, the peak season months of November and December have been seeing increasing smog throughout northern India due to crop burnings then and stagnant air trapping pollutants.
—Tanvi Chheda, AFAR Media, 17 Jan. 2025
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Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Jan. 2025
Decades of health science have demonstrated that such pollutants damage the health of those who breathe them in regularly.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025
Advertisement Even in forested areas, wildfires create a wide array of pollutants, including toxic particulate matter that can lodge deep in the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing respiratory issues, cancer and other health problems.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, the peak season months of November and December have been seeing increasing smog throughout northern India due to crop burnings then and stagnant air trapping pollutants.
—Tanvi Chheda, AFAR Media, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pollutant
Dictionary Entries Near pollutant
Cite this Entry
“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollutant. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlüt-ᵊnt
: something that pollutes
Medical Definition
pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlüt-ᵊnt
: something that pollutes
especially
: something (such as anthropogenic waste) that makes an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use
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