particulate

1 of 2

adjective

par·​tic·​u·​late pär-ˈti-kyə-lət How to pronounce particulate (audio)
 also  -ˌlāt
: of or relating to minute separate particles

particulate

2 of 2

noun

: a particulate substance

Examples of particulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
High temperatures can trigger heart attacks and strokes, while particulate matter in wildfire smoke is linked to cancer and lung disease. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2024 Wearable air-quality monitors will alert us to the presence of particulate ash, carbon monoxide, mold spores, and pathogens like Covid-51. Gear Team, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2023 Delhi has already tried traffic restriction measures, multimillion-dollar air filtration towers, and the use of fleets of water-spraying trucks to dissolve the particulate matter in the air—but to no avail. WIRED, 13 Nov. 2023 Though vehicle exhaust was once the primary source of particulate pollution in the region, metal particles from brake and tire wear are now a significant and growing source of PM2.5, Paulson said. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2023 In recent years, particulate emissions from brakes and tires are starting to grow as well, even outweighing those from tailpipes in some locations. Kasha Patel, Anchorage Daily News, 10 July 2023 Peatlands like the Okefenokee Swamp also tend to burn slowly, Mr. Wen said, releasing more particulate matter into the air. Delger Erdenesanaa, New York Times, 28 June 2023 Chemicals officials are concerned about A primary health concern to residents is particulate matter, which could cause respiratory problems if inhaled, Christine Stinson, who heads the Wayne County Health Department, previously said. Nouran Salahieh, CNN, 16 Apr. 2023 Living in a particulate haze could become a more common occurrence. Devika Rao, The Week, 9 June 2023
Noun
Tampering with or removing emissions controls can drastically increase the release of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and non-methane hydrocarbons found in vehicle exhaust, causing potentially serious health risks. Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 26 Feb. 2024 Wildfire smoke is also a significant source of particulate matter pollution. Kelly Livingston, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2024 Because particulate matter poses such a health risk, the U.S. has for more than half a century enforced rules limiting how much of it can leave tailpipes and smokestacks. Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2024 Both had sued the district in 2021 over Regulation 6-5, an emissions-reduction rule that requires the refineries to decrease their emissions of airborne particulate matter (PM) by 80% and 70%, respectively. Will McCarthy, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2024 The new rule lowers the annual standard for soot and other fine particulate matter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter from the current standard of 12 micrograms. Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 The standard cracks down on fine particulate matter — tiny particles in the air that can penetrate deep into the lungs. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2024 The San Joaquin Valley, a hub of oil drilling and agricultural dust, has long had the highest levels of fine particulate pollution. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2024 Fine particulate matter – also called PM2.5 – pollutes outdoor air when a variety of fossil fuels are burned – including gasoline, diesel and oil, as well as wood. Ella Nilsen, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'particulate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin particula

First Known Use

Adjective

1870, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of particulate was in 1870

Dictionary Entries Near particulate

Cite this Entry

“Particulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/particulate. Accessed 15 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

particulate

noun
par·​tic·​u·​late
pər-ˈtik-yə-lət,
pär-,
-ˌlāt
: a substance made up of very small separate particles

Medical Definition

particulate

1 of 2 adjective
par·​tic·​u·​late pär-ˈtik-yə-lət How to pronounce particulate (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or existing in the form of minute separate particles
dust, smoke, and other particulate matter
2
: of or relating to particulate inheritance
the particulate theory of heredityJulian Huxley

particulate

2 of 2 noun
: a particulate substance
emission of particulates by car engines
cytoplasmic particulates in the cell

More from Merriam-Webster on particulate

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