pollution

noun

pol·​lu·​tion pə-ˈlü-shən 

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

To Shapiro, who has spoken with The Republic previously about how air pollution from burning fossil fuels threatens the respiratory health of Arizona's children and seniors especially, that is nowhere near enough. —Joan Meiners, The Arizona Republic, 2 Nov. 2024

Her thesis and accompanying work investigated military pollution at Fort Ord in Monterey, California, and the resulting public health consequences. —Condé Nast, WIRED, 1 Nov. 2024

The San Fernando Valley community received a $23-million grant through the state’s Transformative Climate Communities to invest in parks, public transit and other amenities aimed at reducing emissions and air pollution. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

Like climate change, air pollution exposure is affecting children’s ability to learn. —Frederica Perera, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing pollution

• light pollution
• noise pollution
• thermal pollution

Kids Definition

pollution

noun

pol·​lu·​tion pə-ˈlü-shən 

1

: the action of polluting : the state of being polluted

air pollution

compare noise pollution, thermal pollution

2

: pollutant

Medical Definition

pollution

noun

pol·​lu·​tion pə-ˈlü-shən 

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