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

The alert includes the cities of Indio, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta and Coachella, and the highest levels of particulate matter are expected in the northwest Coachella Valley.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Under Turkish limits annual PM10 particulate matter should be capped at 40 micrograms per cubic meter, she said, but Elbistan has levels of up to three times higher.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

That means when they are breathed in, they won’t go too deep into the lungs — not like the particulate matter we inhale during sunny, dry days.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2025

The sensors also have an aerosol probe that measures particulate matter, because dust helps with snowflake formation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

I test the particulate and the sediment is nothing more than sand, making it completely drinkable with the filtration straws.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Related Words

• crude
• grainy
• harsh