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
Alcohol is now classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, the same category as tobacco.
—
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Burn pits often would expose military members to heavy metals, PFAS or forever chemicals and toxic carcinogens.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Jan. 2026
The chemicals are carcinogens and neurotoxins that can be hazardous to human health through prolonged and consistent physical contact — such as when land is regularly used for gardening or children play in it for years, experts said.
—Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 12 Jan. 2026
However, certain segments of the population are more susceptible to the health hazards PFAS present, especially firefighters, since those carcinogens have been found in the protective gear that’s supposed to keep those first responders safe.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for carcinogen
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Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Burn pits often would expose military members to heavy metals, PFAS or forever chemicals and toxic carcinogens.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 12 Jan. 2026
The chemicals are carcinogens and neurotoxins that can be hazardous to human health through prolonged and consistent physical contact — such as when land is regularly used for gardening or children play in it for years, experts said.
—Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 12 Jan. 2026
However, certain segments of the population are more susceptible to the health hazards PFAS present, especially firefighters, since those carcinogens have been found in the protective gear that’s supposed to keep those first responders safe.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for carcinogen
Cite this Entry
“Carcinogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinogen. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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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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