particulate

1 of 2

adjective

par·​tic·​u·​late pär-ˈti-kyə-lət How to pronounce particulate (audio)
also -ˌlāt
: of or relating to minute separate particles

particulate

2 of 2

noun

: a particulate substance

Examples of particulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
These devices clean the air in your home and can remove some of the particulate matter from your indoor environment. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2026 But the most surprising find was that both species derived nearly half of their nutrition from particulate organic matter! — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 6 May 2026
Noun
The night that inspired Gothic literature In 1815, a volcanic eruption in Indonesia released a massive cloud of ash and particulates, large enough to affect global weather. — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026 This often takes the form of gas turbines, which are less efficient than big power plants and can not only bring hefty climate impacts but also health costs, due to harmful air pollution, including nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for particulate

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin particula

First Known Use

Adjective

1870, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of particulate was in 1870

Phrases Containing particulate

Rhymes for particulate

See All Rhymes for particulate

Browse Nearby Words

particular tenant
particulate
particulate inheritance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Particulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/particulate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

particulate

noun
par·​tic·​u·​late
pər-ˈtik-yə-lət, 
pär-, 
-ˌlāt
: a substance made up of very small separate particles

Medical Definition

particulate

1 of 2 adjective
par·​tic·​u·​late pär-ˈtik-yə-lət How to pronounce particulate (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or existing in the form of minute separate particles
dust, smoke, and other particulate matter
2
: of or relating to particulate inheritance
the particulate theory of heredity—Julian Huxley

particulate

2 of 2 noun
: a particulate substance
emission of particulates by car engines
cytoplasmic particulates in the cell

More from Merriam-Webster on particulate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about particulate

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