carcinogen

noun

car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsi-nə-jən How to pronounce carcinogen (audio) ˈkär-sə-nə-ˌjen How to pronounce carcinogen (audio)
: a substance or agent causing cancer

Examples of carcinogen in a Sentence

Cigarette smoke contains known carcinogens.
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.
Consumer Reports revealed last year that carcinogens were found in samples of 10 popular synthetic braiding hair brands. Claretta Bellamy, NBC news, 12 Feb. 2026 Smoking marijuana is also unhealthy, however, because cannabis smoke contains carcinogens, tar and other dangerous elements. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026 Some of those units that summer were evacuated after tests revealed high levels of TCE, a carcinogen. Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 4 Feb. 2026 Another item, a sports hat, contained almost 10 times the regulatory limit for formaldehyde, which can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, burns and, with prolonged exposure, is considered a potential human carcinogen. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for carcinogen

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carcinogen was in 1853

Cite this Entry

“Carcinogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinogen. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

carcinogen

noun
car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsin-ə-jən How to pronounce carcinogen (audio) ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen How to pronounce carcinogen (audio)
: a substance that causes cancer
carcinogenic adjective

Medical Definition

carcinogen

noun
car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsin-ə-jən How to pronounce carcinogen (audio) ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen How to pronounce carcinogen (audio)
: a substance or agent causing cancer

More from Merriam-Webster on carcinogen

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