hazmat

noun

haz·​mat ˈhaz-ˌmat 

often attributive

: a material (such as flammable or poisonous material) that would be a danger to life or to the environment if released without precautions

Did you know?

The origin of "hazmat" is clear enough - it was formed by combining the first three letters of each of two words: "hazardous" and "material." The word hazmat is fairly young, first appearing in print in 1980. Although it is a noun, "hazmat" tends to be used attributively, meaning that it often appears in sentences before another noun as if it were performing the duties of an adjective (as in "hazmat team" and "hazmat worker").

Examples of hazmat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s why distilleries are releasing barrel-proof expressions that qualify as hazmat whiskey, or whiskey that’s bottled above 140 proof. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2024

Investigators wearing white hazmat suits and powder blue booties found a handgun and drug paraphernalia in a bedroom. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2024

On the Navajo Nation, there are only eight firefighters with hazmat certification who could potentially respond to an incident like a hydrogen fire along a 200-mile pipeline. —Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 19 July 2024

As a result, homes nearby were evacuated because of a hazmat situation, as officials were looking at a leaking train car, according to ABC 7 Chicago. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 27 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

hazardous material

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

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Medical Definition

hazmat

noun

haz·​mat

ˈhaz-ˌmat

often attributive

: a material (as radioactive, flammable, explosive, or poisonous material) that would be a danger to life or to the environment if released without necessary precautions being taken

toxic waste hauled away by workers in hazmat suits

—Tom Spousta

hazmat storage