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 Examples of pollutant in a Sentence
filtered the pollutants out of the water
Recent Examples on the Web
Research has found strong associations between exposure to air pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, indoor toxins like formaldehyde and higher cancer risk — particularly for lung, breast, prostate, and even melanoma.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
The data also don’t include airborne pollutants — including automobile exhaust — which could also contribute to the disease.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2025
Exposure to these air pollutants can lead to long-term health complications, including stroke, heart disease, and pneumonia.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 6 May 2025
In Boulder, researchers are learning about ways to better forecast drought and assessing what kinds of pollutants are released into the air after a wildfire.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
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Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
The data also don’t include airborne pollutants — including automobile exhaust — which could also contribute to the disease.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2025
Exposure to these air pollutants can lead to long-term health complications, including stroke, heart disease, and pneumonia.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 6 May 2025
In Boulder, researchers are learning about ways to better forecast drought and assessing what kinds of pollutants are released into the air after a wildfire.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
Cite this Entry
“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollutant. Accessed 19 May. 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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