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

/ pəˈluːʃən /

noun

1. the act of polluting or the state of being polluted
2. harmful or poisonous substances introduced into an environment

pollution

/ pə-lo̅o̅′shən /

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.

Other Words From

• self-pol·lution noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pollution¹

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

Example Sentences

All primary schools in Delhi will close due to worsening air pollution, officials have announced.

From BBC

Delhi and nearby cities are experiencing pollution levels that are deemed hazardous to people's health.

From BBC

Authorities in Delhi - which has an estimated population of more than 33 million - have already enacted measures aimed at tackling the pollution, including spraying roads with water containing dust suppressants.

From BBC

Earlier in the month, air pollution in the Pakistani city of Lahore forced officials to temporarily close its primary schools.

From BBC

At the same time, monitoring by IQAir suggests the neighbouring cities of Gurugram and Noida had hazardous air pollution, as did the northern Indian city of Chandigarh.

From BBC

Related Words

• abuse
• corruption
• deterioration
• infection