retardant

[ri-tahr-dnt]

noun

Chemistry.

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

adjective

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

   fire-retardant construction materials.

retardant

/ rɪˈtɑːdənt /

noun

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

adjective

1. having a slowing effect

Other Word Forms

• retardance noun
• retardancy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of retardant¹

First recorded in 1635–45; retard + -ant