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
Trump has touted coal as clean in the past, but experts say coal emits carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and several other pollutants.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Belden emphasized that no chemicals or pollutants were responsible for the deaths, addressing concerns raised by some residents.
—Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026
Reduced engine use means cleaner air for the employees working on the apron and lower exposure to pollutants generated by aircraft during ground operations.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026
Those pollutants come mainly from car exhaust and industrial emissions.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pollutant
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Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Belden emphasized that no chemicals or pollutants were responsible for the deaths, addressing concerns raised by some residents.
—Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 10 June 2026
Reduced engine use means cleaner air for the employees working on the apron and lower exposure to pollutants generated by aircraft during ground operations.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026
Those pollutants come mainly from car exhaust and industrial emissions.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 10 June 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 17 Jun. 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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