particulate
Americanadjective
noun
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a separate and distinct particle.
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a material composed of such particles.
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particulates,
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the aggregate of such particles, especially as produced by one source.
tests to analyze diesel particulates.
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Meteorology. solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, especially pollutants.
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noun
adjective
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of or made up of separate particles
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genetics of, relating to, or designating inheritance of characteristics, esp with emphasis on the role of genes
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A very small particle, as of dust or soot. Particulates that are given off by the burning of oil, gasoline, and other fuels can remain suspended in the atmosphere for long periods, where they are a major component of air pollution and smog.
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A substance or suspension composed of such particles, such as sand or smoke.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of particulate
1870–75; < New Latin particulātus, equivalent to Latin particul ( a ) particle + -ātus -ate 1
Vocabulary lists containing particulate
Earth Science - Middle School
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Earth Science - High School
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Human Impacts on Earth Systems - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It said it "recognises that prolonged wildfire incidents have the potential to adversely affect local air quality, particularly through increased levels of smoke and particulate matter".
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
Moreover, the EPA did not restrict its approach to particulate matter and ozone.
From Slate ● Aug. 2, 2026
But as Southern California’s focus shifts to the sweltering heat expected for the day and the rest of the week, an expert noted that soot and particulate matter may not be dispersing normally.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
In a study published in ACS ES&T Air, scientists monitored particulate matter during a large, multi-day athletic event in the United Kingdom.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 4, 2026
When particulate matter in the atmosphere was sufficient, light from the ground got trapped and reflected back, and the entire Detroit sky would become the soft pink of cotton candy.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
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.
