RETARDANT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does retardant mean? 

• RETARDANT (noun)
  The noun RETARDANT has 1 sense:

1. any agent that retards or delays or hinders

  Familiarity information: RETARDANT used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RETARDANT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any agent that retards or delays or hinders

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Synonyms:

retardant; retardation; retardent

Context example:

flame-retardant

Hypernyms ("retardant" is a kind of...):

agent (an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect)

 Context examples 

Other widely used and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including parabens, phthalates, and flame retardants, may be having similarly adverse affects on fertility that warrant much more study.

(Reproductive Problems Reported In Lab Mice after BPA Replacements in Plastics, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Mirex was used as an insecticide against ants and as a fire-retardant for plastics, paint, rubber, paper and electrical appliances, but it is no longer produced or used in the US.

(Mirex, NCI Thesaurus)

Chlorendic acid is used as a reactive flame retardant, chemical intermediate, hardening agent and as an extreme pressure lubricant.

(Chlorendic Acid, NCI Thesaurus)

Chlorinated paraffin is used as an extreme pressure lubricant, flame retardant and plasticizer.

(Chlorinated Paraffin, NCI Thesaurus)

BBMP is used in industry as a flame retardant in unsaturated polyester resins, in molded products and in rigid polyurethane foam.

(BBMP, NCI Thesaurus)

Researchers have discovered for the first time that a common marine sponge hosts bacteria that specialize in the production of toxic compounds nearly identical to man-made fire retardants, a finding that could help scientists better understand the human health implications of these common additives.

(Bacteria living in marine sponge produce toxic compounds found in man-made products, NSF)

High levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers —flame-retardant chemicals used in furniture, electronics and other consumer products—were associated with an average abdominal circumference reduction of 2.4 mm and an average femur length reduction of 0.5 mm.

(Persistent organic pollutants in maternal blood linked to smaller fetal size, National Institutes of Health)