carcinogen

noun

car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsi-nə-jən  ˈkär-sə-nə-ˌjen 

: a substance or agent causing cancer

Examples of carcinogen in a Sentence

Cigarette smoke contains known carcinogens.

Recent Examples on the Web

Doing so will increase the likelihood of heavy metal particles, which can carry lung irritants and carcinogens, being spread and inhaled. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

The World Health Organization classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, – the same category as tobacco and asbestos. — Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Many nonstick pans were once made with a product called Teflon, which was made with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and was considered to be a human carcinogen. — Kelly Vaughan, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026

Pet cats often share the same home as their owners, meaning they can be exposed to similar carcinogens in their water and air. — Kyle Melnick The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for carcinogen

• plasminogen
• urobilinogen

Kids Definition

carcinogen

noun

car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsin-ə-jən  ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen 

: a substance that causes cancer

carcinogenic

ˌkärs-ᵊn-ō-ˈjen-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

carcinogen

noun

car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsin-ə-jən  ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen 

: a substance or agent causing cancer