pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlü-tᵊnt 
plural pollutants
: something that pollutes
especially
: something (such as waste created by human activity) 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
Those guardrails are in place because air pollutants that come from the generators, like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and ‘fine particulate matter’ are known to cause lung and heart health issues when inhaled.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
More recent air news New research suggests some air pollutants can significantly alter insect behavior, science journalist Gennaro Tomma writes in National Geographic.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Another $4 million will go toward a program that distributes air purifiers capable of filtering hydrogen sulfide and other pollutants from the toxic cross-border flows.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
The same baffle box designed to protect waterways from pollutants became a trap for an animal those waterways support.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
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Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026
More recent air news New research suggests some air pollutants can significantly alter insect behavior, science journalist Gennaro Tomma writes in National Geographic.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Another $4 million will go toward a program that distributes air purifiers capable of filtering hydrogen sulfide and other pollutants from the toxic cross-border flows.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
The same baffle box designed to protect waterways from pollutants became a trap for an animal those waterways support.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
Cite this Entry
“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollutant. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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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