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 chemical or manufacturing 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 chemical or manufacturing 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

Having run down everything that’s wrong with the world outside our windows — unemployment, crime, pollution, a failing economy — the gentleman now has a favor to ask of his viewers. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2026

Without strong federal limits on climate pollution, utilities face less pressure to shift to cleaner, more affordable and less volatile energy sources. —Yoca Arditi-Rocha, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026

Lighting throughout the camp is deliberately subdued, with warm-temperature luminaires and dim solar path lights that create minimal pollution and allow for maximum Milky Way views. —Megan Eaves, Outside, 20 Feb. 2026

Experts warn the rollback will disproportionately harm communities of color, who already suffer higher illness and death rates from air pollution. —Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing pollution

• light pollution
• noise pollution
• thermal pollution

Rhymes for pollution

• ablution
• aleutian
• confucian
• dilution
• elution
• locution
• solution
• volution
• absolution
• allocution
• attribution
• comminution

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