retardant

[ ri-tahr-dnt ]
/ rɪˈtɑr dnt /

noun Chemistry.

any substance capable of reducing the speed of a given reaction.

adjective

retarding or tending to retard (usually used in combination): fire-retardant construction materials.

Origin of retardant

First recorded in 1635–45; retard + -ant

OTHER WORDS FROM retardant

re·tard·ance, re·tard·an·cy, noun

Words nearby retardant

retaining wall, retake, retaliate, retaliation, retard, retardant, retardate, retardation, retarded, retarded dentition, retardee

British Dictionary definitions for retardancy

retardant
/ (rɪˈtɑːdənt) /

noun

a substance that reduces the rate of a chemical reaction

adjective

having a slowing effect