pollutant

[ puh-loot-nt ]
/ pəˈlut nt /

noun

something that pollutes.
any substance, as certain chemicals or waste products, that renders the air, soil, water, or other natural resource harmful or unsuitable for a specific purpose.

Origin of pollutant

First recorded in 1890–95; pollute + -ant

OTHER WORDS FROM pollutant

non·pol·lu·tant, adjective, noun

British Dictionary definitions for pollutant

pollutant
/ (pəˈluːtənt) /

noun

a substance that pollutes, esp a chemical or similar substance that is produced as a waste product of an industrial process

Medical definitions for pollutant

pollutant
[ pə-lōōtnt ]

n.

Something that pollutes, especially a waste material that contaminates air, soil, or water.

Scientific definitions for pollutant

pollutant
[ pə-lōōtnt ]

A substance or condition that contaminates air, water, or soil. Pollutants can be artificial substances, such as pesticides and PCBs, or naturally occurring substances, such as oil or carbon dioxide, that occur in harmful concentrations in a given environment. Heat transmitted to natural waterways through warm-water discharge from power plants and uncontained radioactivity from nuclear wastes are also considered pollutants.