often attributive
: a material (such as flammable or poisonous material) that would be a danger to life or to the environment if released without precautions
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").
Examples of hazmat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Alameda police on Tuesday said officers arrested someone in connection with a hazmat incident that affected multiple people on Monday.
—
Jose Fabian, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
The driver immediately returned to Pleasant Plains Elementary School for EMS assistance, though no students required further care and hazmat units responded to the scene to clear the school bus to return to service.
—Brian Carlton, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
Additionally, there were seven hazmat incidents, which included gasoline and propane tank leaks.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Men in hazmat suits arrive, transporting his corpse to an incinerator, where his body is burned.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hazmat
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Jose Fabian, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
The driver immediately returned to Pleasant Plains Elementary School for EMS assistance, though no students required further care and hazmat units responded to the scene to clear the school bus to return to service.
—Brian Carlton, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
Additionally, there were seven hazmat incidents, which included gasoline and propane tank leaks.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Men in hazmat suits arrive, transporting his corpse to an incinerator, where his body is burned.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hazmat
Cite this Entry
“Hazmat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hazmat. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
hazmat
noun
haz·mat
ˈhaz-ˌmat
often attributive
: 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
Tom Spoustahazmat storage
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