carcinogen

[kahr-sin-uh-juh n, -jen, kahr-suh-nuh-jen, -noh-] /kɑrˈsɪn ə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn, ˈkɑr sə nəˌdʒɛn, -noʊ-/
noun, Pathology
1.
any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer.
Origin
1935-40; carcino- + -gen
Related forms
carcinogenic
[kahr-suh-nuh-jen-ik, -noh-] /ˌkɑr sə nəˈdʒɛn ɪk, -noʊ-/ (Show IPA), adjective
carcinogenicity
[kahr-suh-noh-juh-nis-i-tee] /ˌkɑr sə noʊ dʒəˈnɪs ɪ ti/ (Show IPA), noun
anticarcinogen, noun
anticarcinogenic, adjective
Examples from the web for carcinogenic
  • The widely used explosive is highly toxic and carcinogenic.
  • They also act as carriers for toxic or carcinogenic materials.
  • Other carcinogenic materials can be added to the wastewater by the chemicals used in the hydrofracking itself.
  • But everything known about both sets of compounds suggests they are carcinogenic.
  • The flavorings, not yet identified, may also prove carcinogenic.
  • After its carcinogenic potential was confirmed it was no longer used.
  • There are a lot of different problems in getting dyes that are not carcinogenic and paper problems.
  • Further it does not appear to be carcinogenic in other parts of the body at these dose ranges.
  • carcinogenic agents induce cancer by causing genetic mutations that allow cells to escape normal biological controls.
  • Oddly, since its radiation kills nearby thyroid tissue, smaller doses are more carcinogenic than larger doses.
British Dictionary definitions for carcinogenic

carcinogen

/kɑːˈsɪnədʒən; ˈkɑːsɪnəˌdʒɛn/
noun
1.
(pathol) any substance that produces cancer
Derived Forms
carcinogenic, adjective
carcinogenicity, noun
Word Origin
C20: from Greek karkinoscancer + -gen
Word Origin and History for carcinogenic
adj.

1926, from carcinogen + -ic.

carcinogen

n.

"cancer-causing substance," 1853, from carcinoma + -gen.

carcinogenic in Medicine

carcinogen car·cin·o·gen (kär-sĭn'ə-jən, kär'sə-nə-jěn')
n.
A cancer-causing substance or agent.

car'cin·o·gen'ic (kär'sə-nə-jěn'ĭk) adj.
carcinogenic in Science
carcinogen
  (kär-sĭn'ə-jən)   
A substance or agent that can cause cells to become cancerous by altering their genetic structure so that they multiply continuously and become malignant. Asbestos, DDT, and tobacco smoke are examples of carcinogens.
carcinogenic in Culture
carcinogenic [(kahr-suh-nuh-jen-ik)]

A descriptive term for things capable of causing cancer.