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.
One air tanker made a retardant drop at the beginning of the incident, which slowed the spread and helped ground resources contain the fire's growth. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025 Prior to their evacuation, our son sent us videos of tanker planes dropping red fire retardant overhead. Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025 California Air National Guard video shared Wednesday shows a pilot’s point-of-view as the aircraft flies over and drops retardant on the Hughes Fire in Castaic, near Los Angeles. David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 23 Jan. 2025 With the assistance of Cal Fire planes dropping water and retardant, fire department officials reported halting the forward progress by 5:08 p.m. Devan Patel, Mercury News, 24 May 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 3 Jul. 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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