particulate

1 of 2

adjective

par·​tic·​u·​late pär-ˈti-kyə-lət How to pronounce particulate (audio)
also -ˌlāt
: of or relating to minute separate particles

particulate

2 of 2

noun

: a particulate substance

Examples of particulate in a Sentence

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.
Adjective
Cooking with a gas stove produces more particulate matter than with an electric stove, and the gas stove also emits other hazardous chemicals such as nitrogen dioxide and benzene. Katelyn Richard, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2026 To measure particulate concentrations at the Green fire, The Times followed U.S. Forest Service crews and carried two Atmotube PRO sensors. Hannah Dreier, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
Those rules were projected to cut down on thousands of pounds of mercury and other metals, including carcinogens and neurotoxins, in addition to fine particulate matter, known colloquially as soot. Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026 In 2024, the Biden Administration strengthened MATS beyond the original 2012 standards, instituting continuous emissions monitoring and stricter pollution limits for particulate matter and mercury. Simmone Shah, Time, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for particulate

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin particula

First Known Use

Adjective

1870, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of particulate was in 1870

Cite this Entry

“Particulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/particulate. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

particulate

noun
par·​tic·​u·​late
pər-ˈtik-yə-lət
pär-
-ˌlāt
: a substance made up of very small separate particles

Medical Definition

particulate

1 of 2 adjective
par·​tic·​u·​late pär-ˈtik-yə-lət How to pronounce particulate (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or existing in the form of minute separate particles
dust, smoke, and other particulate matter
2
: of or relating to particulate inheritance
the particulate theory of heredityJulian Huxley

particulate

2 of 2 noun
: a particulate substance
emission of particulates by car engines
cytoplasmic particulates in the cell

More from Merriam-Webster on particulate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster