pollution

[ puh-loo-shuhn ]

/ pəˈlu ʃən /

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See synonyms for pollution on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of polluting or the state of being polluted.

the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment: air pollution.

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Origin of pollution

1350–1400; Middle English pollucioun (<Old French ) <Late Latin pollūtiōn-, stem of pollūtiō defilement; see pollute, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM pollution

self-pol·lu·tion, noun

Words nearby pollution

poll tax, pollucite, pollutant, pollute, polluted, pollution, Pollux, poll watcher, poll worker, polly, Pollyanna

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pollution in a sentence

Reductions in air pollution therefore trigger potential for growth in economic activity through decreased absenteeism and increased worker productivity.
Can emissions cuts and economic growth coexist? Europe is certain they can|David Meyer|September 17, 2020|Fortune
Research has long supported an association between asthma and exposure to air pollution.
New Research Shows Disproportionate Rate of Coronavirus Deaths in Polluted Areas|by Lylla Younes, ProPublica, and Sara Sneath|September 11, 2020|ProPublica
That ability may imply that the moth can find food and pollinate plants, including crucial crops, despite some air pollution, researchers report September 2 in the Journal of Chemical Ecology.
This moth may outsmart smog by learning to like pollution-altered aromas|Carmen Drahl|September 11, 2020|Science News
It’s a good thing, because ridesharing actually causes more pollution than driving one’s own car.
Uber Wants to Go All-Electric by 2030. It Won’t Be Easy|Vanessa Bates Ramirez|September 10, 2020|Singularity Hub

Cars still add a lot of pollution, and are a dominant source of ozone.
City pavement is a big source of air pollution|Ula Chrobak|September 3, 2020|Popular-Science
That is a lot of air pollution, noise, and yet more kicking up of dust.
New York’s Conservative Fracking Ban|Jay Michaelson|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
No one really argues with the massive amount of pollution and toxins.
Our Trip to The Climate War's Ground Zero|Darren Aronofsky|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In certain storylines, illegal industrial pollution is just as much a villain as the vengeful monsters it creates.
A Political History of the ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’|Asawin Suebsaeng|August 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Burning charcoal generates hydrocarbons, particulate air pollution, wildfires, and carbon footprints.
P.J. O'Rourke: 27 Sensitive, Caring, Green, and Politically Committed Reasons to Ban July 4th|P. J. O’Rourke|July 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For many of us, plastic pollution means the debris we can see.
Your Favorite Facewash Is Hurting Nemo|Alexa C. Kurzius|June 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The whole valley is considered sacred, and hence strongly guarded against the pollution of any heretical evangelical influences.
Silver Chimes in Syria|W. S. Nelson
To her the plague was better than self-slaughter, as self-slaughter was better than pollution.
The Proud Prince|Justin Huntly McCarthy
Fundulus kansae has been found in the lower part of the Walnut River Basin, especially where petroleum pollution was evident.
Fishes of Chautauqua, Cowley and Elk Counties, Kansas|Artie L. Metcalf
Pollution by petroleum wastes from refineries has also affected the streams studied.
Fishes of Chautauqua, Cowley and Elk Counties, Kansas|Artie L. Metcalf
The pollution (miasma) of sin is precipitated by his blood, the power of sin is conquered by his Spirit.
Aids to Reflection|Samuel Taylor Coleridge

British Dictionary definitions for pollution

pollution

/ (pəˈluːʃən) /

noun

the act of polluting or the state of being polluted

harmful or poisonous substances introduced into an environment

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for pollution

pollution

[ pə-lōō′shən ]

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

pollution

Origin of pollution

OTHER WORDS FROM pollution

Words nearby pollution

Words related to pollution

How to use pollution in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pollution

Scientific definitions for pollution