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flame-retardant

flame-retardant

5 4.9
Not easily set on fire and designed to slow the spread of flames
  • adjective
  • /fleɪm rɪˈtɑrdənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ignífugo
  • The company decided to use polyetheretherketone polymer, or PEEK, supplied by Victrex USA Inc. of West Chester, Pa., because PEEK is flame-retardant and provides rigidity and strength at very high temperatures.
  • brominated flame-retardant

And these things were flame retardant and it created a cloud of smoke.

Examples

  • The new building materials include flame-retardant panels to enhance safety during a fire.

  • Properly selected resins are used to fabricate reinforced plastic composites for corrosion-resistant, heat-resistant, and flame-retardant applications.

    Academic text (1998)
  • And these things were flame retardant and it created a cloud of smoke.

  • The actual uniform will be flame retardant, which is a good thing, don't you think?

  • So, everything they sent us up here with is flame-retardant... with the notable exception of... Martinez's personal items.

  • If a couch was purchased outside California before 2000, it has a 50 percent chance of containing flame retardant chemicals.

    Blog text (2)
  • Since the tape was used inside the penitentiary to repair things like mattresses, for example, it was essential that it be flame-retardant.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The fabric is flame-retardant, white opaque, 18 to 24 ounce coated polyester scrim.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The firefighters sprayed flame-retardant foam on the area to prevent the fire from spreading.

  • She chose a flame-retardant fabric for her curtains to minimize the risk of fire in her home.

Synonyms

fire-retardant
vsflame-retardant
  • Specialized
5 4.4

Not easy to burn because it has a special treatment

is designed to slow or prevent the spread of flames
fire-resistant
vsflame-retardant
  • Specialized
3 4.1

Not easily burned in a fire

aims to slow flame spread rather than just withstand heat
flameproof
vsflame-retardant
  • Specialized
1 3.9

Hard to burn or set on fire

slows or prevents flame spread rather than only resisting ignition
nonflammable
vsflame-retardant
1 4.1

Does not catch fire or burn easily

is designed to slow or stop flames rather than be fully nonignitable
fire-resisting
vsflame-retardant
  • Specialized
4.5

Does not burn easily in a fire, for example walls or doors

focuses on slowing flame spread rather than general fire durability
fire-resistive
vsflame-retardant
  • Specialized
5.6

A material or building that is difficult to burn and able to stay whole in a fire for some time

intends to slow flame spread rather than meet timed resistance standards
unburnable
vsflame-retardant
4.7

Not able to burn or be set on fire

focuses on reducing flame spread rather than being impossible to burn

Antonyms

41 2.8

Able to catch fire and burn quickly

How Fire-Resistant

fireproof
5 4.0
flame-retardant
  • Specialized
5 4.9
fire-resistant
  • Specialized
3 4.1
flammable
41 2.8

Surface Forms

flame-retardant positive

Morphology

flame-retardant = flame + retardant (transparent) = flame + retard + ant

The compound is a straightforward combination of 'flame' + 'retardant' and the meaning ('resistant to flames') follows standard compounding and the internal formation 'retard' + '-ant' is regular.

Etymology

Flame-retardant comes from the parts flame and retardant, where retardant means 'to slow' or 'delay'. Think of it as a 'brake' for fire: it resists catching fire and slows or stops the spread of flames, which is why flame-retardant materials help keep things safer.