carcinogen
noun
car·cin·o·gen
kär-ˈsi-nə-jən 
ˈkär-sə-nə-ˌjen
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
Without federal and local standards on how to deal with contaminants like arsenic and the carcinogen benzene, dozens of researchers and private specialists are combing through yards and homes, work that goes beyond authorities’ post-fire testing.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
Consider getting indoor air purifiers—for your house and car—and an electric stove instead of a gas one, which emits a carcinogen called benzene.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Other substances, such as sulforaphane, have detoxification-supporting properties that help eliminate carcinogens from your body.56
Metabolism support: One cup of raw cauliflower provides about 10% of the daily value of choline.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 Sep. 2025
Acetaldehyde: Classified as a carcinogen, but still permitted in U.S. cosmetics.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carcinogen
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Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
Consider getting indoor air purifiers—for your house and car—and an electric stove instead of a gas one, which emits a carcinogen called benzene.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Other substances, such as sulforaphane, have detoxification-supporting properties that help eliminate carcinogens from your body.56
Metabolism support: One cup of raw cauliflower provides about 10% of the daily value of choline.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 Sep. 2025
Acetaldehyde: Classified as a carcinogen, but still permitted in U.S. cosmetics.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carcinogen
Cite this Entry
“Carcinogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinogen. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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Medical Definition
carcinogen
noun
car·cin·o·gen
kär-ˈsin-ə-jən
ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen
ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen
: a substance or agent causing cancer
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