An Americanism dating back to 1970–75; haz(ardous) + mat(erial)
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I’m continuing to work with emergency personnel to ensure that residents are safe and have the resources they need while officials work to mitigate the impacts of the hazmat incident.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2026
A hazmat team is working with experts to find a way to depressurise the affected tank and limit exposure.
From BBC ● May 23, 2026
It showed a target over an image of the embassy followed by people dressed in hazmat suits flying drones.
From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2026
Had she known the challenges ahead, she might have been better off choosing rock-climbing gear, or maybe a hazmat suit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 7, 2026
Xander likes to call his hazmat suit a bunny suit.
From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
