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
Brownfields are abandoned or underused properties, often industrial or commercial, where redevelopment is complicated because of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants in the soil.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Higher temperatures also increase preterm birth by increasing levels of the harmful air pollutant called ground-level ozone.
—Sheetal Khedkar Rao, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
The catalysts remove pollutants and improve efficiency in industrial processes.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
But gas combustion still results in harmful pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, which the American Lung Assn. says can cause asthma attacks and reduced lung function.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
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Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Higher temperatures also increase preterm birth by increasing levels of the harmful air pollutant called ground-level ozone.
—Sheetal Khedkar Rao, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
The catalysts remove pollutants and improve efficiency in industrial processes.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
But gas combustion still results in harmful pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, which the American Lung Assn. says can cause asthma attacks and reduced lung function.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 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 10 Jun. 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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