retardant

American  

[ri-tahr-dnt] / rɪˈtɑr dnt /

noun

Chemistry.

1. any substance capable of reducing the speed of a given reaction.

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adjective

1. retarding or tending to retard (usually used in combination).

   fire-retardant construction materials.

retardant British  

/ rɪˈtɑːdənt /

noun

1. a substance that reduces the rate of a chemical reaction

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adjective

1. having a slowing effect

Other Word Forms

• retardance noun
• retardancy noun

Etymology

Origin of retardant

First recorded in 1635–45; retard + -ant

Example Sentences

Among the synthetic products, 19 claimed to be flame retardant, three were labeled water resistant, nine advertised heat resistance, and three promoted "green" claims such as "no PVC" or "non-toxic."

From Science Daily

Firefighters responded with a C-130 air tanker, dropped retardant and created containment lines around the fire.

From Los Angeles Times

The colorful fire retardant drew Akira’s eye to the front line of the fire, and she saw a group of tiny figures using axes and bulldozers to fight the blaze in the valley.

From Literature

He says if the foam had been fire retardant it would have smouldered, not burned.

From BBC

“If you go look at it now, it is essentially a pile of crushed wood that has been sprayed with fire retardant.”

From Los Angeles Times