pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlü-tᵊnt 
plural pollutants
: something that pollutes
especially
: something (such as anthropogenic waste) that makes an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use
sources of pollutants [=pollution] in the environment
Meanwhile, scientists warned that other air pollutants—especially from automobiles—might also be contributing to health problems, forest damage and decreased crop production. —
National Wildlife
National Wildlife Formaldehyde is an important atmospheric pollutant that can be produced in photochemical smog. —Des W. Connell
Des W. Connell A 165-foot cement tower contains radium-rich blends that have given off radon gas—a pollutant that can cause cancer. —Michael H. Brown
Michael H. Brown Examples of pollutant in a Sentence
filtered the pollutants out of the water
Recent Examples on the Web
Many of these pollutants can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress that can damage cells and tissues, ultimately resulting in health problems.
—Paul McClure 03, New Atlas, 3 June 2025
Older homes had natural air leakage that allowed indoor pollutants to escape and be replaced by fresh outdoor air.
—Brynn Cooksey, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
The report attributed the symptoms to the high levels of pollutants — including, near Lybrook, hydrogen sulfide, a compound that gives off the sulfur smell that Amari associates with his headaches.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in this country.
—Corey Williams, Arkansas Online, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
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Paul McClure 03, New Atlas, 3 June 2025
Older homes had natural air leakage that allowed indoor pollutants to escape and be replaced by fresh outdoor air.
—Brynn Cooksey, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
The report attributed the symptoms to the high levels of pollutants — including, near Lybrook, hydrogen sulfide, a compound that gives off the sulfur smell that Amari associates with his headaches.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health in this country.
—Corey Williams, Arkansas Online, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
Cite this Entry
“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollutant. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlüt-ᵊnt
: something that pollutes
Medical Definition
pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlüt-ᵊnt
: something that pollutes
especially
: something (such as anthropogenic waste) that makes an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use
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