HAZMAT

or haz·mat

[ haz-mat ]

noun

a material or substance that poses a danger to life, property, or the environment if improperly stored, shipped, or handled: regulations for transporting radioactive materials and other HAZMAT.

Origin of HAZMAT

An Americanism dating back to 1970–75; haz(ardous) + mat(erial)

Words Nearby HAZMAT

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use HAZMAT in a sentence

The national news has put away its chocolate-covered HAZMAT suits.
Fighting Ebola and Starvation in Sierra Leone | Abby Haglage | November 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
They informed her that a HAZMAT company would be coming through shortly to disinfect the area, both inside the building and out.
Dallas: A Journal of the Plague City | Pete Freedman | October 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Then Ebola took center stage once more: “Has anybody seen anyone go near that HAZMAT bin?”
Dallas: A Journal of the Plague City | Pete Freedman | October 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Vinson was rolled out in a wheelchair wearing a full body HAZMAT suit.
Ebola Nurses Are As Brave As Soldiers | Michael Daly | October 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
They can only be grateful to be equipped and trained with full body HAZMAT suits complete with hooded face masks.
Ebola Nurses Are As Brave As Soldiers | Michael Daly | October 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for hazmat

hazmat

/ (ˈhæzˌmæt) /

nounmainly US and Canadian

- substances that pose a danɡer to public health
- (as modifier): a hazmat suit

Origin of hazmat

C20: haz (ardous) + mat (erials)

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

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