# carcinogen

/kɑɹˈsɪnədʒən/ (US) · /kˈɑːsɪnədʒən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/carcinogen
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

something that can cause cancer if you are around it a lot, like tobacco smoke or asbestos.

For teachers: a substance or agent capable of causing cancer in living tissue, typically through prolonged or repeated exposure. Includes chemical compounds, radiation, and certain viruses.

## Examples

- Tobacco smoke contains a strong carcinogen.
- The factory tests its products to make sure they contain no known carcinogen.
- Researchers classified the industrial solvent as a probable carcinogen after long-term studies linked repeated exposure to higher rates of liver cancer.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.