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
Now, scientists have discovered that the crystal structure of natural iron minerals could determine how fast these pollutants break down in the environment.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
And in Tennessee’s South Memphis, the methane gas turbines that power an xAI data center give off air pollutants contributing to smog and formaldehyde.
—Natalie Kainz, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025
On one end, oil refining emits more air pollutants than any other process in the oil industry.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
There is trash and pollutants from the tourists and gravel has been mined from the area to make trekking routes for people, disturbing the places where females may have laid their eggs, researchers said.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
And in Tennessee’s South Memphis, the methane gas turbines that power an xAI data center give off air pollutants contributing to smog and formaldehyde.
—Natalie Kainz, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025
On one end, oil refining emits more air pollutants than any other process in the oil industry.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
There is trash and pollutants from the tourists and gravel has been mined from the area to make trekking routes for people, disturbing the places where females may have laid their eggs, researchers said.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 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 7 Nov. 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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