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

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

"Timber is an amazing material," says Richard Hull, professor emeritus and fire retardants expert at the University of Lancashire.

From BBC

Industrial compounds used in products like flame retardants and plastics were also found to be toxic to these microbes.

From Science Daily

Professor Edwin Galea, from the University of Greenwich, said the effectiveness of retardant treatment on PU foam can wear off over time.

From BBC