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Definition of "particulate" [par•tic•u•late]

  • Of, relating to, or formed of minute separate particles. (adjective)
  • A minute separate particle, as of a granular substance or powder. (noun)
  • Particulate matter. Often used in the plural: diesel particulates; a high level of atmospheric particulates. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "particulate" in a sentence
  • "Let me show you a little bit of context here, comparing what we call particulate matter in big urban zone like Chicago, for example, 20 micrograms per cubic meter, versus Beijing, 260 micrograms per cubic meter per day."
  • "In 2010, the Pittsburgh area—with 2.4 million people—ranked third in the country for short-term particulate pollution, according to the American Lung Association, which lobbies for clean air."
  • "He said numerous scientific studies show spikes in short-term particulate levels and exposures to high day-to-day levels exposures can damage the health of people with heart and lung disease, children and older adults, and even cause premature death."