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

Emergency responders rushed to the scene after the crash, with aerial footage showing firefighters spraying fire retardant on the burning wreckage while thick black smoke rose above the base. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026

The new retardant loading station is capable of loading 20,000 gallons of retardant. — Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026

Each of Seneca’s Argo-1 drones can carry about 100 pounds of water or fire retardant while working together in swarms of four to six drones. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026

Aircraft were able to complete some retardant drops at Benchmark and Glade Ranch on Sunday before high winds forced them to stop. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing retardant

• flame-retardant

Rhymes for retardant

• ardent

Kids Definition

retardant

adjective

re·​tar·​dant ri-ˈtärd-ᵊnt 

: serving or tending to retard

flame-retardant fabrics