pollution

[puh-loo-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of polluting or the state of being polluted. polluted.

2. the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment.

   air pollution.

pollution

/ pəˈluːʃən /

noun

1. the act of polluting or the state of being polluted

2. harmful or poisonous substances introduced into an environment

pollution

1. The contamination of air, water, or soil by substances that are harmful to living organisms. Pollution can occur naturally, for example through volcanic eruptions, or as the result of human activities, such as the spilling of oil or disposal of industrial waste.

2. ◆ Light from cities and towns at night that interferes with astronomical observations is known as light pollution. It can also disturb natural rhythms of growth in plants and other organisms.

3. ◆ Continuous noise that is loud enough to be annoying or physically harmful is known as noise pollution.

4. ◆ Heat from hot water that is discharged from a factory into a river or lake, where it can kill or endanger aquatic life, is known as thermal pollution.

Other Word Forms

• self-pollution noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pollution¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English pollucioun, from Old French, from Late Latin pollūtiōn-, stem of pollūtiō “defilement”; equivalent to pollute + -ion

Example Sentences

Water firms have been told by authorities to fix outdated infrastructure which has been found to be the cause of much river and water pollution.

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Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to triggers such as dust and pollution.

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The claimants allege pollution has been caused by run-off from farmland containing high concentrations of phosphorus, nitrogen and bacteria from the spreading of poultry manure and sewage bio solids used as fertiliser.

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“I was very surprised that the air district reported they weren’t seeing terribly high levels of pollution,” said Julia May, senior scientist for California-based nonprofit Communities for a Better Environment.

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In addition to investigating the explosion, officials in the city of El Segundo said they are monitoring air quality levels for signs of pollution.

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Related Words

• abuse 
• corruption 
• deterioration 
• infection