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.
At the Eaton fire, crews applied retardant around the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and cleared brush in high-risk areas in La Cañada, according to Cal Fire. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 The largest tankers — which can carry up to 9,400 gallons of fire retardant at a time, and have been used to fight the Southern California fires — drop from about 250 feet, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Yan Zhuang, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025 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 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 24 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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