carcinogen

noun

car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsi-nə-jən How to pronounce carcinogen (audio) ˈkär-sə-nə-ˌjen How to pronounce carcinogen (audio)
: a substance or agent causing cancer

Examples of carcinogen in a Sentence

Cigarette smoke contains known carcinogens.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Heavy metals Hynek noted that Martian dust is known to contain various carcinogens, such as silica and numerous heavy metals. — Leonard David, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Tell Your Doctor About Your Full Risk History Family history, previous radiation to the chest or breast and past exposure to workplace carcinogens can all affect lung cancer risk. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 31 July 2026 For chemicals classified as possible human carcinogens, MCLGs are typically set at a level where drinking the water daily for 70 years would cause one additional cancer case per 1 million people above the background rate. — Christine Kirchhoff, The Conversation, 30 July 2026 Tumor cells did contain elevated levels of arsenic, a naturally occurring carcinogen found in parts of New England. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for carcinogen

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carcinogen was in 1853

Rhymes for carcinogen

See All Rhymes for carcinogen

Browse Nearby Words

carcinoembryonic antigen
carcinogen
carcinogenesis
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Carcinogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinogen. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

carcinogen

noun
car·​cin·​o·​gen kär-ˈsin-ə-jən How to pronounce carcinogen (audio) ˈkärs-ᵊn-ə-ˌjen How to pronounce carcinogen (audio)
: a substance or agent causing cancer

More from Merriam-Webster on carcinogen

Nglish: Translation of carcinogen for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carcinogen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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