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
Both trucks caught on fire and Adams’ truck caused a hazmat situation, Efird said.
—
Jeff A. Chamer
may 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
The Hondius was now in a different kind of storm—an ordeal reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with passengers mysteriously falling ill, health workers wearing hazmat suits, and governments imposing quarantines.
—Akash Kapur, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Even so, those disembarking and personnel working at the port of Granadilla on Tenerife wore protective gear during the evacuation process, including face masks, hazmat suits and respirators.
—Iain Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Devo’s yellow hazmat jumpsuits are in tatters, an unavoidable side effect of the band’s collective (in all senses) perpetual motion.
—Michael Tedder, SPIN, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hazmat
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Jeff A. Chamer
may 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
The Hondius was now in a different kind of storm—an ordeal reminiscent of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with passengers mysteriously falling ill, health workers wearing hazmat suits, and governments imposing quarantines.
—Akash Kapur, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
Even so, those disembarking and personnel working at the port of Granadilla on Tenerife wore protective gear during the evacuation process, including face masks, hazmat suits and respirators.
—Iain Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Devo’s yellow hazmat jumpsuits are in tatters, an unavoidable side effect of the band’s collective (in all senses) perpetual motion.
—Michael Tedder, SPIN, 5 May 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 15 May. 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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