carcinogen

noun

car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsi-nə-jən How to pronounce carcinogen (audio) ˈkär-sə-nə-ˌjen How to pronounce carcinogen (audio)
: a substance or agent causing cancer

Examples of carcinogen in a Sentence

Cigarette smoke contains known carcinogens.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Brook said genetic testing showed no predisposition for cancer and believed decades of exposure to carcinogens as a firefighter caused the disease. Dawn White, CBS News, 17 June 2026 The more nuanced answer is that smoke does contain potential carcinogens and some are deposited in the meat. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026 The synthetic pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin, which the EPA calls a possible human carcinogen, was detected on nearly half of all samples. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 9 June 2026 Some of those chemicals are carcinogens. Sumit Mandal, The Conversation, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for carcinogen

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carcinogen was in 1853

Cite this Entry

“Carcinogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinogen. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

carcinogen

noun
car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsin-ə-jən How to pronounce carcinogen (audio) ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen How to pronounce carcinogen (audio)
: a substance that causes cancer
carcinogenic adjective

Medical Definition

carcinogen

noun
car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsin-ə-jən How to pronounce carcinogen (audio) ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen How to pronounce carcinogen (audio)
: a substance or agent causing cancer

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