retardant
adjective
re·tar·dant
ri-ˈtär-dᵊnt 
: serving or tending to retard
a growth-retardant substance
retardant
noun
Examples of retardant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hillsides are colored a rusty red from desperate retardant drops.
—
Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
That June, an air tanker was dropping retardant in California when its wings folded upward, like a bird in flight, and detached.
—Abe Streep, ProPublica, 9 June 2026
Firefighters at the scene are working to get the fire under control, as aircraft continue to slow the head of the fire on the north side with fire retardant drops, according to Cal Fire.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Smoke on the eastern side is also causing an issue for flight crews trying to make retardant drops, Clay said.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for retardant
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Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
That June, an air tanker was dropping retardant in California when its wings folded upward, like a bird in flight, and detached.
—Abe Streep, ProPublica, 9 June 2026
Firefighters at the scene are working to get the fire under control, as aircraft continue to slow the head of the fire on the north side with fire retardant drops, according to Cal Fire.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Smoke on the eastern side is also causing an issue for flight crews trying to make retardant drops, Clay said.
—Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for retardant
Cite this Entry
“Retardant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retardant. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
retardant
adjective
re·tar·dant
ri-ˈtärd-ᵊnt
: serving or tending to retard
flame-retardant fabrics
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