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

Turkish authorities said the tankers weren’t carrying oil at the time and there was no risk of them causing pollution.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Researchers found that people living in areas with substantial air pollution experienced a noticeably smaller reduction in their risk of death during the study period.

Read more on Science Daily

Large carbon-emitting projects in Australia will be required to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions as well as pollution reduction goals under new legislation overhauling decades-old environmental laws.

Read more on Barron's

This means tracking deforestation and pollution that they, as well as their suppliers and subcontractors, cause, plus other issues like forced labour -- and taking steps to curtail them.

Read more on Barron's

The toxic haze shrouding the Indian capital, Delhi, spares no-one, but its children are counting the biggest cost of the city's worsening and recurrent pollution problem.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• abuse 
• corruption 
• deterioration 
• infection