retardant

adjective

re·​tar·​dant ri-ˈtär-dᵊnt How to pronounce retardant (audio)
: serving or tending to retard
a growth-retardant substance
retardant noun

Examples of retardant in a Sentence

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.
Air tankers dropped retardant directly on the edge of the fire to box it in today, but fire has continued to burn through the drops in some areas. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Crews worked to suppress the fire and keep it within a retardant line that was dropped on the first day. Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025 Supported by air resources that dropped retardant on the flames, firefighters strengthened lines around Colorado 13 and County Road 5. John Aguilar, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025 The large tankers, which are four-engine prop planes, are being retrofitted and will be able to drop more than three times the amount of fire retardant than the 1,200 gallons that S-2T air tankers based in Ramona can carry. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for retardant

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retardant was in 1642

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retardant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retardant. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

retardant

adjective
re·​tar·​dant ri-ˈtärd-ᵊnt How to pronounce retardant (audio)
: serving or tending to retard
flame-retardant fabrics

More from Merriam-Webster on retardant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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