pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlü-tᵊnt 
plural pollutants
: something that pollutes
especially
: something (such as waste created by human acitivity) 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
Semiconductor manufacturing requires huge amounts of ultra-clean water to rinse residue from silicon chips during the fabrication process, resulting in wastewater that contains pollutants, including heavy metals, which can be toxic to aquatic ecosystems and humans.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
Now, its ability to do that for many air pollutants is under threat.
—Lisa Song, ProPublica, 7 Jan. 2026
The devices measure pollutants regulated by the EPA, including nitrogen oxides, ozone and particulate matter from sources like gas turbines, factories and heavy traffic.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 2026
Holloway has been using satellite data on pollutants for years to share with the state Department of Natural Resources, but this is the first time it will be used for an epidemiological assessment.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
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Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
Now, its ability to do that for many air pollutants is under threat.
—Lisa Song, ProPublica, 7 Jan. 2026
The devices measure pollutants regulated by the EPA, including nitrogen oxides, ozone and particulate matter from sources like gas turbines, factories and heavy traffic.
—Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Jan. 2026
Holloway has been using satellite data on pollutants for years to share with the state Department of Natural Resources, but this is the first time it will be used for an epidemiological assessment.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 31 Dec. 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 Jan. 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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