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
Connecticut began following the California standards in 2004 and continued doing so as regulators in that state gradually shifted from the goal of reducing smog-forming pollutants to fighting climate change.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025
The decision to keep part of PCH closed came in response to concern from residents about dangerous pollutants released by the fires and looting.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2025
Barker, who had recently published an inventory of rocket emissions and pollutants from satellite re-entries in the journal Nature, posted the estimates on his LinkedIn profile shortly after the mishap.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 2 Feb. 2025
According to state air quality agencies, prolonged periods of stagnant air can hold pollutants close to the ground, where people live and breathe.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pollutant 
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John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025
The decision to keep part of PCH closed came in response to concern from residents about dangerous pollutants released by the fires and looting.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2025
Barker, who had recently published an inventory of rocket emissions and pollutants from satellite re-entries in the journal Nature, posted the estimates on his LinkedIn profile shortly after the mishap.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 2 Feb. 2025
According to state air quality agencies, prolonged periods of stagnant air can hold pollutants close to the ground, where people live and breathe.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
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 16 Feb. 2025.
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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