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
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
Anthony DePalma2
: 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
The debate brought people to planning commission meetings in large numbers, voicing concerns about more garbage trucks on narrow roads, water pollution and other impacts.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 2 June 2024
That’s a tiny portion of Colorado’s air pollution but agency evaluators concluded free transit had a positive impact.
—Bruce Finley, The Denver Post, 30 May 2024
Thanks to new technology, increased public awareness, new laws and rules, and new ways of measuring and understanding the impact of greenhouse gas pollution on our planet, the clean energy revolution hasn’t just begun—it’s become unstoppable.
—Tom Steyer, Fortune, 28 May 2024
Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone air pollution in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Monday.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for pollution 
Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 2 June 2024
That’s a tiny portion of Colorado’s air pollution but agency evaluators concluded free transit had a positive impact.
—Bruce Finley, The Denver Post, 30 May 2024
Thanks to new technology, increased public awareness, new laws and rules, and new ways of measuring and understanding the impact of greenhouse gas pollution on our planet, the clean energy revolution hasn’t just begun—it’s become unstoppable.
—Tom Steyer, Fortune, 28 May 2024
Atmospheric conditions are expected to be favorable for producing high levels of ozone air pollution in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Monday.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for pollution
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pollution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pollution
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollution. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Medical Definition
pollution
noun
pol·lu·tion
pə-ˈlü-shən
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