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
This study provides critical insights into how chronic exposure to common pharmaceutical pollutants and their metabolites can fundamentally alter important traits that fish — not just guppies — rely upon for survival and reproduction.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
The 40% water formula doesn't skimp on antioxidants, which help your skin barrier combat irritation from pollutants and free radicals.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 6 Sep. 2024
These are also antioxidants that protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals like pollutants and UV rays.
—Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 5 Sep. 2024
But there may be pollutants in that dust, says John C. Lin, associate director of the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy at the University of Utah.
—Korin Miller, Outside Online, 27 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pollutant 
Grrlscientist, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
The 40% water formula doesn't skimp on antioxidants, which help your skin barrier combat irritation from pollutants and free radicals.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 6 Sep. 2024
These are also antioxidants that protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals like pollutants and UV rays.
—Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 5 Sep. 2024
But there may be pollutants in that dust, says John C. Lin, associate director of the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy at the University of Utah.
—Korin Miller, Outside Online, 27 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pollutant
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pollutant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pollutant
Cite this Entry
“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollutant. Accessed 5 Oct. 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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