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

Example Sentences

Another unfounded allegation, that Thailand had dropped poison gas, was accompanied by an image of a water bomber dropping pink fire retardant.

From BBC

Powell said Rondell had a suit and wig covered in flame retardant, and was covered in a gel to protect him.

From BBC

Fleets of autonomous Black Hawk helicopters and unmanned air tankers will fill the skies, dropping fire retardant in the path of the flames.

From Los Angeles Times

Emergency responders have been battling the flames from the ground and air using fire retardants since Wednesday.

From BBC

There also isn’t much historical data with which to compare the current amounts of pollutants such as plasticizers, fire retardants and other modern chemicals to pre-fire conditions.

From Los Angeles Times