pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlü-tᵊnt 
plural pollutants
: something that pollutes
especially
: something (such as anthropogenic waste) that makes an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use
sources of pollutants [=pollution] in the environment
Meanwhile, scientists warned that other air pollutants—especially from automobiles—might also be contributing to health problems, forest damage and decreased crop production. —
National Wildlife
National Wildlife Formaldehyde is an important atmospheric pollutant that can be produced in photochemical smog. —Des W. Connell
Des W. Connell A 165-foot cement tower contains radium-rich blends that have given off radon gas—a pollutant that can cause cancer. —Michael H. Brown
Michael H. Brown Synonyms
Examples of pollutant in a Sentence
filtered the pollutants out of the water
Recent Examples on the Web
Tobacco smoke has small particles that are better addressed with higher CADR ratings, while dust is a pollutant with medium-sized particles, and pollen has large particles, according to the EPA.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Scientists have connected both of these pollutants to a range of acute and chronic health issues.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 13 Dec. 2024
One reason the leak endangered San Fernando Valley residents is that the plumes didn’t just contain methane, a powerful planet-warming pollutant but not a significant air-quality threat.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
But using sulfur dioxide can also be considered a pollutant that might irritate people’s lungs, lead to acid rain, and potentially rip open the Antarctic ozone hole.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pollutant 
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Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Scientists have connected both of these pollutants to a range of acute and chronic health issues.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 13 Dec. 2024
One reason the leak endangered San Fernando Valley residents is that the plumes didn’t just contain methane, a powerful planet-warming pollutant but not a significant air-quality threat.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
But using sulfur dioxide can also be considered a pollutant that might irritate people’s lungs, lead to acid rain, and potentially rip open the Antarctic ozone hole.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pollutant
Dictionary Entries Near pollutant
Cite this Entry
“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollutant. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlüt-ᵊnt
: something that pollutes
Medical Definition
pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlüt-ᵊnt
: something that pollutes
especially
: something (such as anthropogenic waste) that makes an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use
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