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
Health dangers of pollution Ozone and particle pollution are considered two of the most widespread and dangerous pollutants measured by the US Environmental Protection Agency. —Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026 Trees and plants sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, filter pollutants from the air and reduce urban temperatures through shade, according to The Nature Conservancy. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026 Counties were graded based on how much smog and soot the researchers detected, in addition to the length of time the pollutants were there. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 An air purifier can also help filter out pollutants, Wargocki said. —Kristen Fischer, Health, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pollutant
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026 Trees and plants sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, filter pollutants from the air and reduce urban temperatures through shade, according to The Nature Conservancy. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026 Counties were graded based on how much smog and soot the researchers detected, in addition to the length of time the pollutants were there. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 An air purifier can also help filter out pollutants, Wargocki said. —Kristen Fischer, Health, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pollutant
Cite this Entry
“Pollutant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/pollutant. Accessed 29 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
