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
These gases contain pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and unburned fuel, that are harmful to human health, as well as carbon dioxide, which warms Earth’s atmosphere.
—Michael Leamy, Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2024
The main concerns about sardines are mercury poisoning, heavy metal contamination, environmental impacts, and BPA.
Mercury poisoning: Mercury is a damaging pollutant found in fish, including sardines.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
The agency calculated the reduction of smog-forming pollutants and tiny particles of fly ash and dust that are expelled from coal-burning power plants would have $300 million in health benefits and $130 million in climate benefits.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 5 Oct. 2024
What’s more, an EV produces zero tailpipe emissions in the process, though the local power plant generating the electricity used to run the vehicle may produce more or less pollutants of its own.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pollutant 
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Michael Leamy, Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2024
The main concerns about sardines are mercury poisoning, heavy metal contamination, environmental impacts, and BPA.
Mercury poisoning: Mercury is a damaging pollutant found in fish, including sardines.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
The agency calculated the reduction of smog-forming pollutants and tiny particles of fly ash and dust that are expelled from coal-burning power plants would have $300 million in health benefits and $130 million in climate benefits.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 5 Oct. 2024
What’s more, an EV produces zero tailpipe emissions in the process, though the local power plant generating the electricity used to run the vehicle may produce more or less pollutants of its own.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
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 21 Nov. 2024.
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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