pollutant
noun
pol·lut·ant
pə-ˈlü-tᵊnt 
plural pollutants
: something that pollutes
especially
: something (such as waste created by human activity) 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
These hazardous pollutants can cause cancer and damage the nervous system and liver.
—The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
In addition, researchers are using synthetic biology to design organisms capable of detecting and breaking down environmental pollutants, offering new tools for bioremediation.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
Because air pollutants like particulate matter interfere with sunlight, cleaner air means more sunshine, so this uptick can partly be traced back to the Clean Air Act — a federal law passed in 1970 and amended in 1990 to improve air quality by reducing emissions of pollutants.
—Laura Martin Agudelo, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Pros & Cons The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is a multifunction smart air purifier that uses HEPA and carbon filtration to remove harmful airborne pollutants and employs ultraviolet cleansing technology to deliver cool, clean, moist air.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
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The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
In addition, researchers are using synthetic biology to design organisms capable of detecting and breaking down environmental pollutants, offering new tools for bioremediation.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
Because air pollutants like particulate matter interfere with sunlight, cleaner air means more sunshine, so this uptick can partly be traced back to the Clean Air Act — a federal law passed in 1970 and amended in 1990 to improve air quality by reducing emissions of pollutants.
—Laura Martin Agudelo, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Pros & Cons The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is a multifunction smart air purifier that uses HEPA and carbon filtration to remove harmful airborne pollutants and employs ultraviolet cleansing technology to deliver cool, clean, moist air.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
Cite this Entry
“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollutant. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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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