pollutant

noun

pol·​lut·​ant pə-ˈlü-tᵊnt How to pronounce pollutant (audio)
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
Formaldehyde is an important atmospheric pollutant that can be produced in photochemical smog. 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

Examples of pollutant in a Sentence

filtered the pollutants out of the water
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pollutant was in 1887

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollutant. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

pollutant

noun
pol·​lut·​ant pə-ˈlüt-ᵊnt How to pronounce pollutant (audio)
: something that pollutes

Medical Definition

pollutant

noun
pol·​lut·​ant pə-ˈlüt-ᵊnt How to pronounce pollutant (audio)
: something that pollutes
especially : something (such as anthropogenic waste) that makes an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use

More from Merriam-Webster on pollutant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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