carcinogen

[kahr-sin-uh-juh n, -jen, kahr-suh-nuh-jen, -noh-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR carcinogen ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Pathology.

any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer.

RELATED WORDS

toxin, poison, killer, mutagen

Nearby words

Origin of carcinogen

First recorded in 1935–40; carcino- + -gen

Related formscar·cin·o·gen·ic

[kahr-suh-nuh-jen-ik, -noh-] /ˌkɑr sə nəˈdʒɛn ɪk, -noʊ-/, adjectivecar·ci·no·ge·nic·i·ty

[kahr-suh-noh-juh-nis-i-tee] /ˌkɑr sə noʊ dʒəˈnɪs ɪ ti/, nounan·ti·car·cin·o·gen, nounan·ti·car·cin·o·gen·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for carcinogen

The coal ash deposits have heavy concentrations of hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen.
Chris Hedges and Joe Sacco Chronicle Mining Catastrophes in West Virginia|Chris Hedges, Joe Sacco|June 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
One study found it to be 30 times more potent a carcinogen.
The Fireplace Delusion: A Metaphor for Religious Belief|Sam Harris|February 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Further, estrogen or carcinogen exposure over a lifetime leads to the development of cancer.
How Mom's Hip Size Predicts Her Daughter's Risk|Kent L. Thornburg, PhD|October 24, 2009|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for carcinogen

carcinogen

noun

pathol any substance that produces cancer

Derived Formscarcinogenic, adjectivecarcinogenicity, noun

Word Origin for carcinogen

C20: from Greek karkinos cancer + -gen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for carcinogen

carcinogen

"cancer-causing substance," 1853, from carcinoma + -gen.

Medicine definitions for carcinogen

carcinogen

[kär-sĭn′ə-jən, kär′sə-nə-jĕn′]

n.

A cancer-causing substance or agent.

Related formscar′cin•o•gen′ic (kär′sə-nə-jĕn′ĭk) adj.

Science definitions for carcinogen

carcinogen

[kär-sĭn′ə-jən]

A substance or agent that can cause cells to become cancerous by altering their genetic structure so that they multiply continuously and become malignant. Asbestos, DDT, and tobacco smoke are examples of carcinogens.