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
According to environmental and workplace safety experts, denim conceals behind its iconic blue fabric a host of toxic chemical pollutants and processes, as well as gross water overuse, all of which degrade the environment and put workers and communities at risk.
—Simon Mainwaring, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
The agency is also conducting tests on the surfaces of the school, homes and other structures that have been cleaned to make sure all hazardous pollutants have been removed.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 26 June 2025
These pollutants, which can aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions, were measured with TEMPO's sensors.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Its three-layer filtration system effectively eliminates 99.9% of pollutants, including dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander and VOCs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
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Simon Mainwaring, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
The agency is also conducting tests on the surfaces of the school, homes and other structures that have been cleaned to make sure all hazardous pollutants have been removed.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 26 June 2025
These pollutants, which can aggravate asthma and other respiratory conditions, were measured with TEMPO's sensors.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Its three-layer filtration system effectively eliminates 99.9% of pollutants, including dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander and VOCs.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 June 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 9 Jul. 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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