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 Adding millions of state worker commute miles each week will also worsen road congestion and air pollution, employees argue. Maya Miller, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024 Which country in Southeast Asia is dealing with major air pollution concerns? CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 To meet this goal, automotive manufacturers will face increasing tailpipe pollution limits over the next few years. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2024 The final rule also gives car manufacturers a slower phase-in of pollution limits than the EPA had proposed last year. Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Add to these overlapping groups all those who struggle with harassing relationships, homelessness, captivity, severe loneliness, living in high-crime neighborhoods or working in or around noise or air pollution. Lawson R. Wulsin, Discover Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024 Nearly three years in the making, the new tailpipe pollution limits from the Environmental Protection Agency would transform the American automobile market. Coral Davenport, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Bolstering the economy, which also worsens pollution that kills people, is an increasingly questionable arrangement. Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 Spices can accumulate lead from other sources in the environment, such as leaded gasoline or other pollution. Jonel Aleccia, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024

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.

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 28 Mar. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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