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 Examples of pollutant in a Sentence
filtered the pollutants out of the water
Recent Examples on the Web
Heavy oil is preferred for marine transportation due to its low cost but is a high pollutant.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 7 Apr. 2025
The District of Columbia Circuit in 2013 also affirmed the central role of science to inform revisions of National Ambient Air Quality Standards, which set limits for six common air pollutants.
—H. Christopher Frey, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
Concerns over toxic pollutants The company originally applied for permits to install only 15 gas generators.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Apr. 2025
The rapid scaling of these dangerous toxic pollutants is this is reckless, irresponsible, and a threat to us all.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
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Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 7 Apr. 2025
The District of Columbia Circuit in 2013 also affirmed the central role of science to inform revisions of National Ambient Air Quality Standards, which set limits for six common air pollutants.
—H. Christopher Frey, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
Concerns over toxic pollutants The company originally applied for permits to install only 15 gas generators.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Apr. 2025
The rapid scaling of these dangerous toxic pollutants is this is reckless, irresponsible, and a threat to us all.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
Cite this Entry
“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollutant. Accessed 22 Apr. 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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