retardant

adjective

re·​tar·​dant ri-ˈtär-dᵊnt How to pronounce retardant (audio)
: serving or tending to retard
a growth-retardant substance
retardant noun

Examples of retardant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This past summer, the Environmental Protection Agency disclosed that harmful forever chemicals were found in the tap water of 26 million Americans, and a class of toxic flame retardant chemicals was found in a wide sampling of breast milk. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 8 Jan. 2024 In addition to being adaptable, the foam strip on the other side is weatherproof, oil resistant, dustproof, flame retardant, soundproof, anti-skidding, and insulating. Belle Duchene, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2023 As Hayley wrote: Many who fight fires said banning the use of retardant would be catastrophic for California and the West, where wildfires are burning larger, hotter and faster than ever before. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2023 Helicopters and airplanes continued to drop fire retardant the area. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 July 2023 Many who fight fires said banning the use of retardant would be catastrophic for California and the West, where wildfires are burning larger, hotter and faster than ever before. oregonlive, 5 July 2023 An advocacy group that’s suing the agency claims officials are flouting a federal clean water law by continuing to use retardant without taking adequate precautions to protect streams and rivers. Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 23 Apr. 2023 In other wildfire news, a Montana judge ruled that the U.S. Forest Service can keep dropping retardant from the air to slow the spread of flames — even though doing so can pollute rivers in violation of federal law, the Associated Press’ Matthew Brown reports. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2023 Over at High Country News, meanwhile, Kylie Mohr tries to answer the question of whether aerial retardant drops actually help to slow fires. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retardant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retardant was in 1642

Dictionary Entries Near retardant

Cite this Entry

“Retardant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retardant. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

retardant

adjective
re·​tar·​dant ri-ˈtärd-ᵊnt How to pronounce retardant (audio)
: serving or tending to retard
flame-retardant fabrics

More from Merriam-Webster on retardant

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