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

At the peak last weekend, there were 2,177 firefighters in Big Sur battling the blaze, with 10 helicopters, 194 engines, 30 bulldozers and huge C-130 air tankers dropping retardant. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Neither do the costumes, which are flame retardant, and add additional heft. — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

One of the tankers working the fire was capable of dropping 4,000 gallons of fire retardant at a time and one of the helicopters can drop 1,000 gallons of water, said Cal Fire Capt. — Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Forest Service officials described an aggressive effort to contain the blaze, with air tankers dropping retardant from above while ground crews and bulldozers worked to build control lines around the wildfire and prevent it from spreading. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 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