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Synonyms

particulate

American  
[per-tik-yuh-lit, -leyt, puh-tik-, pahr-] / pərˈtɪk yə lɪt, -ˌleɪt, pəˈtɪk-, pɑr- /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or composed of distinct particles.

noun

  1. a separate and distinct particle.

  2. a material composed of such particles.

  3. particulates,

    1. the aggregate of such particles, especially as produced by one source.

      tests to analyze diesel particulates.

    2. Meteorology. solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere, especially pollutants.

particulate British  
/ -ˌleɪt, pɑːˈtɪkjʊlɪt /

noun

  1. a substance consisting of separate particles

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. of or made up of separate particles

  2. genetics of, relating to, or designating inheritance of characteristics, esp with emphasis on the role of genes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
particulate Scientific  
/ pər-tĭk′yə-lĭt /

  1. Formed of very small, separate particles. Dust and soot are forms of particulate matter.

  1. A very small particle, as of dust or soot. Particulates that are given off by the burning of oil, gasoline, and other fuels can remain suspended in the atmosphere for long periods, where they are a major component of air pollution and smog.

  2. A substance or suspension composed of such particles, such as sand or smoke.

Other Word Forms

  • nonparticulate adjective

Etymology

Origin of particulate

1870–75; < New Latin particulātus, equivalent to Latin particul ( a ) particle + -ātus -ate 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Activists link the complex and its emissions of particulate matter and sulphur dioxide to an estimated 16,530 premature deaths.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

"Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases," said Northwestern's Kyan Shlipak, who led the study.

From Science Daily • Jan. 26, 2026

Health effects linked to indoor exposure to particulate matter were not included, even though they also pose serious public health risks.

From Science Daily • Jan. 26, 2026

In the last decade, increasing numbers of wildfires in Western states have released enough fine particulate pollution to reverse years’ worth of improvements under the Clean Air Act and other antipollution measures.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 17, 2025

I test the particulate and the sediment is nothing more than sand, making it completely drinkable with the filtration straws.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.