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View synonyms for

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

/ əˈːʃə /

noun

  1. the act of polluting or the state of being polluted
  2. 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

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.
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Other Word Forms

  • -DZ·tDz noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pollution1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

The industry body Water UK told the BBC this week it would back a change to the system so that companies would no longer be responsible for monitoring their own levels of sewage pollution.

From

“The pollution had already been there. You’ve always been playing in it.”

From

Water companies should no longer be allowed to monitor their own levels of sewage pollution, the industry body has told the BBC exclusively.

From

But Sir Sadiq, one of the most senior Labour figures outside of Westminster, has warned about the impact on noise, air pollution and climate change.

From

Despite decades of progress in reducing air pollution, Los Angeles is still the nation’s smoggiest city, according to a report released Wednesday by the American Lung Assn.

From

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pollutedPollux