pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlü-tᵊnt 
plural pollutants
: something that pollutes
especially
: something (such as anthropogenic waste) 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
Gas stoves, in addition to those planet-warming emissions, release toxic pollutants directly into the home.
—Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Mägi added trees naturally filter pollutants and particulate matter from the air and protecting mature forests helps preserve these natural air cleaners.
—Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Methane is a major climate pollutant that warms the atmosphere at least 25 times more than CO2, CARB said.
—Rob Nikolewski, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
Near Streets In urban environments, planting along high-traffic streets increases the concentrations of pollutants from car exhaust that can contaminate the fruit.
—Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
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Rachel Nuwer, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Mägi added trees naturally filter pollutants and particulate matter from the air and protecting mature forests helps preserve these natural air cleaners.
—Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Methane is a major climate pollutant that warms the atmosphere at least 25 times more than CO2, CARB said.
—Rob Nikolewski, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2025
Near Streets In urban environments, planting along high-traffic streets increases the concentrations of pollutants from car exhaust that can contaminate the fruit.
—Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 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 30 Apr. 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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