flame retardant

noun

1. a compound used in cloth and plastic material to raise the ignition point of the material, thus making it resistant to fire.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flame retardant¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

As with any other plastic cooking utensil, when you use a black plastic spatula while flipping your pancakes, the heat can encourage any flame retardant present to leach out of the flipper and into your flapjacks.

From Los Angeles Times

Because of an unexpectedly cool morning, the flame retardant applied to the artificial turf in the consumption lounge tent hadn’t yet dried.

From Los Angeles Times

Because of an unexpectedly cool morning, the flame retardant applied to the artificial turf in the consumption lounge tent hadn’t yet dried.

From Los Angeles Times

Conventionally, non-flammable electrolytes have heavily relied on the incorporation of flame retardant additives or solvents with exceptionally high boiling points.

From Science Daily

In experiments, when the modified lignin was heated, it charred -- but did not burn up -- a sign that it could act as a flame retardant.

From Science Daily