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
Adjective
High temperatures can trigger heart attacks and strokes, while particulate matter in wildfire smoke is linked to cancer and lung disease. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2024 Wearable air-quality monitors will alert us to the presence of particulate ash, carbon monoxide, mold spores, and pathogens like Covid-51. Gear Team, WIRED, 4 Dec. 2023 Delhi has already tried traffic restriction measures, multimillion-dollar air filtration towers, and the use of fleets of water-spraying trucks to dissolve the particulate matter in the air—but to no avail. WIRED, 13 Nov. 2023 Though vehicle exhaust was once the primary source of particulate pollution in the region, metal particles from brake and tire wear are now a significant and growing source of PM2.5, Paulson said. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2023 In recent years, particulate emissions from brakes and tires are starting to grow as well, even outweighing those from tailpipes in some locations. Kasha Patel, Anchorage Daily News, 10 July 2023 Peatlands like the Okefenokee Swamp also tend to burn slowly, Mr. Wen said, releasing more particulate matter into the air. Delger Erdenesanaa, New York Times, 28 June 2023 Chemicals officials are concerned about A primary health concern to residents is particulate matter, which could cause respiratory problems if inhaled, Christine Stinson, who heads the Wayne County Health Department, previously said. Nouran Salahieh, CNN, 16 Apr. 2023 Living in a particulate haze could become a more common occurrence. Devika Rao, The Week, 9 June 2023
Noun
Air inlet filtration will remove a majority of particulate matter. The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024 Only 10 countries and territories out of 134 met the W.H.O.’s standards in 2023 for fine particulate matter, the deadliest form of air pollution according to air quality data. Christopher Flavelle Ian C. Bates, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024 Additionally, European regulators voted last month to keep CO2 emission limits closer to today’s limits, while introducing new restrictions for particulate emissions produced by brakes and tires. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024 But researchers never knew for sure how these microscopic particles enlarged into sand-sized particulates, or whether the atmospheric fragments would have even stayed intact as the dunes took shape. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024 Recommendations in the report include finalizing new vehicle emission standards, as well as establishing air quality standards for ozone and fine particulate matter specifically to protect scenic views and nature. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Aerosols, or fine particulates, less than 2.5 microns in diameter released into the air by a range of industrial processes are beginning to alter monsoon rain patterns on which millions of people depend for growing food. Joyeeta Gupta, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024 University of Arizona scientist Paloma Beamer said the state can continue to reduce particulate matter without destroying its economy. The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024 Vehicle exhaust is made up of all sorts of pollutants, including carbon monoxide, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and carbon emissions that contribute to a warming world, which is also itself a major threat to health. Ella Nilsen, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'particulate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near particulate

Cite this Entry

“Particulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/particulate. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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