carcinogen
noun
car·cin·o·gen
kär-ˈsi-nə-jən 
ˈkär-sə-nə-ˌjen
ˈkär-sə-nə-ˌjen
: a substance or agent causing cancer
Examples of carcinogen in a Sentence
Cigarette smoke contains known carcinogens.
Recent Examples on the Web
According to a Consumer Reports study, cancer-causing carcinogens were found in 10 of the most popular braiding hair brands.
—
Essence, 31 July 2025
Cooking meat at high temperatures or in direct contact with a flame or a hot surface can produce carcinogens, including heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
—Brittany Poulson, People.com, 8 July 2025
These metals are classified as carcinogens, potentially leading to various types of cancers, such as skin, lung and kidney, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
According to the World Bank, toxic effluents from dyes and finishing agents contain carcinogens and heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury, contaminating drinking water sources, destroying aquatic ecosystems, and poisoning farmland.
—Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carcinogen
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Essence, 31 July 2025
Cooking meat at high temperatures or in direct contact with a flame or a hot surface can produce carcinogens, including heterocyclic aromatic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
—Brittany Poulson, People.com, 8 July 2025
These metals are classified as carcinogens, potentially leading to various types of cancers, such as skin, lung and kidney, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
According to the World Bank, toxic effluents from dyes and finishing agents contain carcinogens and heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury, contaminating drinking water sources, destroying aquatic ecosystems, and poisoning farmland.
—Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for carcinogen
Cite this Entry
“Carcinogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinogen. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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Medical Definition
carcinogen
noun
car·cin·o·gen
kär-ˈsin-ə-jən
ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen
ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen
: a substance or agent causing cancer
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