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
When air is stagnant, pollutants don't get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Colorado regulators are working on a new permitting system for five toxic air pollutants that will cost millions of dollars to implement — a plan that will need legislative approval during a tight budget year.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
The pollutants have changed but not the problem.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025
Many of these sites release multiple types of pollutants — some have an acute health threat while others contribute to global warming, which has its own set of health risks.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
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Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Colorado regulators are working on a new permitting system for five toxic air pollutants that will cost millions of dollars to implement — a plan that will need legislative approval during a tight budget year.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
The pollutants have changed but not the problem.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025
Many of these sites release multiple types of pollutants — some have an acute health threat while others contribute to global warming, which has its own set of health risks.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 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 6 Oct. 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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