retardant

adjective

re·​tar·​dant ri-ˈtär-dᵊnt How to pronounce retardant (audio)
: serving or tending to retard
a growth-retardant substance
retardant noun

Examples of retardant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The mill, which specializes in cut-resistant and flame retardant yarns, is about 35 miles west of Charlotte. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025 The Other Impact of Tariffs Clover Knits still does some basic fabrics for apparel, but does a lot more technical fabrics, for things like flame retardant workwear. Evan Clark, Footwear News, 27 Mar. 2025 The footage shows the low-flying C-130J Super Hercules dropping fire retardant as the flames were raging Wednesday in Castaic, a community near Santa Clarita. Greg Norman, Fox News, 23 Jan. 2025 Phos-Chek's maker says the reaction between the retardant and cellulose consumes heat energy from the approaching fire and produces non-flammable carbon material. Bill Chappell, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for retardant

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retardant was in 1642

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retardant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retardant. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

retardant

adjective
re·​tar·​dant ri-ˈtärd-ᵊnt How to pronounce retardant (audio)
: serving or tending to retard
flame-retardant fabrics

More from Merriam-Webster on retardant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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