pollution

noun

pol·​lu·​tion pə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce pollution (audio)
1
a
: the action of polluting
especially : the action of making an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use by introducing man-made waste
Abandoned mining and milling operations are already implicated in pollution of the river with toxic and radioactive waste products … Larry Brown
b
: the condition of being polluted
A three-year study … has indicated that the lake already is suffering from severe pollution and that any additional development will exacerbate it.Anthony DePalma
2
: something that pollutes
especially : something (such as man-made waste) that makes an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use
tested the levels of pollution [=pollutants] in the water

Examples of pollution in a Sentence

industrial practices that have caused pollution of the air and water The tests showed high levels of pollution in the water. The fish are dying of pollution.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Residents of the famously health-minded city are increasingly turning to vitamins, supplements and lifestyle modalities to help contend with the wildfire pollution. Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 Indicators like the Air Quality Index (AQI), commonly used to track air pollution levels, provide a rough sense of the pollution floating in the skies. Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025 Related article Risks from ash and air pollution remain for people returning after wildfires. Esme Mazzeo, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025 Biden's administration pursued regulatory limits on CO2 emissions from autos and power plants, but much of the progress in cutting carbon pollution comes from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for pollution 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pollution was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pollution

Cite this Entry

“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollution. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

pollution

noun
pol·​lu·​tion pə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce pollution (audio)
1
: the action of polluting : the state of being polluted
air pollution
compare noise pollution, thermal pollution
2

Medical Definition

pollution

noun
pol·​lu·​tion pə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce pollution (audio)
1
: the action of polluting or the condition of being polluted
2
: something (such as anthropogenic waste) that makes an environment unsuitable or unsafe for use : pollutant
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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