particulate

1 of 2

adjective

par·​tic·​u·​late pär-ˈti-kyə-lət 

 also  -ˌlāt

: of or relating to minute separate particles

particulate

2 of 2

noun

: a particulate substance

Examples of particulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Researchers have already connected the particulate matter in wildfire smoke to a higher risk of strokes, heart disease, respiratory disease, lung cancer, and other serious conditions. —Kylie Mohr, WIRED, 4 Jan. 2025

Besides dealing with particulate contamination by developing environmental control technology, the alignment problem was perhaps the biggest headache. —IEEE Spectrum, 2 Jan. 2025

Noun

The test also showed that the levels of chemicals and particulate matter were above health guidelines for the general public. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 13 Jan. 2025

Fires can cause chemicals to vaporize, turning them into gases, while others bind to particulate matter. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin particula

First Known Use

Adjective

1870, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1942, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing particulate

• particulate inheritance

Kids Definition

particulate

noun

par·​tic·​u·​late

pər-ˈtik-yə-lət,

pär-,

-ˌlāt

: a substance made up of very small separate particles

Medical Definition

particulate

1 of 2 adjective

par·​tic·​u·​late pär-ˈtik-yə-lət 

1

: of, relating to, or existing in the form of minute separate particles

dust, smoke, and other particulate matter

2

: of or relating to particulate inheritance

the particulate theory of heredity

—Julian Huxley

particulate

2 of 2 noun

: a particulate substance

emission of particulates by car engines

cytoplasmic particulates in the cell