sealant

[ see-luhnt ]

noun

1. a substance used for sealing, seal, as sealing wax or adhesives.
2. any of various liquids, paints, chemicals, or soft substances that may be applied to a surface or circulated through a system of pipes or the like, drying to form a hard, watertight coating.
3. Dentistry. any of several transparent synthetic resins applied to the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars in young children and teenagers as a preventive measure against tooth decay in the occlusal pits and fissures.

sealant

/ ˈsiːlənt /

noun

1. any substance, such as wax, used for sealing documents, bottles, etc
2. any of a number of substances used for stopping leaks, waterproofing wood, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of sealant¹

1940–45; seal ¹ + -ant, probably by analogy with coolant

Example Sentences

You must have a sealant painted on your tooth or risk bacteria creating holes in it.

From New York Times

What ensues is nearly two hours of the false starts and second-guessing that romances use as sealant.

From New York Times

In sealant programs, dental professionals visit schools to apply a thin, protective coating to the surface of teeth that hardens and safeguards against decay.

From Science Daily

Although the defects could be fixed, the report said, some trains required “structural and design modifications” while others needed “sealant, drainage or corrosion corrections.”

From New York Times

The researchers hope this model system can be applied to other types of polymers, including adhesives, sealants and elastomers.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• adhesive
• mud
• plaster
• sand