Definition of hazmat
: a material (such as flammable or poisonous material) that would be a danger to life or to the environment if released without precautions
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hazmat was our Word of the Day on 01/03/2007. Hear the podcast!
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Recent Examples of hazmat from the Web
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Deserted on a foreign planet where parents, cops, the government, and creepy guys in hazmat suits are after you?
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hazmat'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
The origin of "hazmat" is clear enough - it was formed by combining the first three letters of each of two words: "hazardous" and "material." The word hazmat is fairly young, first appearing in print in 1980. Although it is a noun, "hazmat" tends to be used attributively, meaning that it often appears in sentences before another noun as if it were performing the duties of an adjective (as in "hazmat team" and "hazmat worker").
Origin and Etymology of hazmat
hazardous material
First Known Use: 1980
Medical Dictionary
hazmat
Medical Definition of hazmat
: a material (as radioactive, flammable, explosive, or poisonous material) that would be a danger to life or to the environment if released without necessary precautions being taken toxic waste hauled away by workers in hazmat suits—Tom Spousta hazmat storage
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