particulate

American  

[per-tik-yuh-lit, -leyt, puh-tik-, pahr-] / pərˈtɪk yə lɪt, -ˌleɪt, pəˈtɪk-, pɑr- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or composed of distinct particles.

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noun

1. a separate and distinct particle.

2. a material composed of such particles.

3. particulates,

   1. the aggregate of such particles, especially as produced by one source.

      tests to analyze diesel particulates.

   2. Meteorology. solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, especially pollutants.

particulate British  

/ -ˌleɪt, pɑːˈtɪkjʊlɪt /

noun

1. a substance consisting of separate particles

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adjective

1. of or made up of separate particles

2. genetics of, relating to, or designating inheritance of characteristics, esp with emphasis on the role of genes

particulate Scientific  

/ pər-tĭk′yə-lĭt /

1. Formed of very small, separate particles. Dust and soot are forms of particulate matter.

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1. 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.

2. A substance or suspension composed of such particles, such as sand or smoke.

Other Word Forms

• nonparticulate adjective

Etymology

Origin of particulate

1870–75; < New Latin particulātus, equivalent to Latin particul ( a ) particle + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Activists link the complex and its emissions of particulate matter and sulphur dioxide to an estimated 16,530 premature deaths.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Coal is relatively inexpensive to produce but is the dirtiest fossil fuel, releasing considerable particulate air pollution, sulfur dioxide and mercury, and nearly twice the planet-warming carbon dioxide as natural gas.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

"Some emissions are considered primary pollutants, such as black carbon, and some interact with the atmosphere and other constituents, and can form additional, secondary species of particulate matter pollution."

From Science Daily • Jan. 26, 2026

In the last decade, increasing numbers of wildfires in Western states have released enough fine particulate pollution to reverse years’ worth of improvements under the Clean Air Act and other antipollution measures.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025

I place one sample in an empty centrifuge so I can analyze the particulate.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Related Words

• crude
• grainy
• harsh