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.
There have also been concerns over toilet paper that is bleached, as bleaching can create dioxins, and concerns over toilet paper that includes formaldehyde, a carcinogen. — Jillian Pretzel, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 The compounds and particles emitted by wildfires can harm human health, including the lungs, heart and organs, and include known carcinogens. — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 Every animal received a single dose of the same liver carcinogen at 15 days of age and lived under the same conditions. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 For example, one of the most common artificial sweeteners, aspartame, was previously labeled a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 17 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carcinogen

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