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
The process leads to hazardous emissions of benzene, a carcinogen that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says can lead to anemia and leukemia, as well as sulfur dioxide, which can trigger severe asthma.
—
Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Last year, Consumer Reports conducted a study that found carcinogens, a substance that can increase the risk of cancer, in 10 popular synthetic braiding hair brands.
—Essence, 1 Apr. 2026
American soldiers sprayed Agent Orange over the jungles of Vietnam and nearby countries from the air and from the ground, often mixing it with kerosene or fuel, another carcinogen, to help disperse it.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
There certainly are harmful chemicals, carcinogens, toxins, heavy metals, respiratory irritants and other things inside of there that certainly can cause immediate harm.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for carcinogen
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Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Last year, Consumer Reports conducted a study that found carcinogens, a substance that can increase the risk of cancer, in 10 popular synthetic braiding hair brands.
—Essence, 1 Apr. 2026
American soldiers sprayed Agent Orange over the jungles of Vietnam and nearby countries from the air and from the ground, often mixing it with kerosene or fuel, another carcinogen, to help disperse it.
—Angus Chen, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
There certainly are harmful chemicals, carcinogens, toxins, heavy metals, respiratory irritants and other things inside of there that certainly can cause immediate harm.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 26 Mar. 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 22 Apr. 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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