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
Even brief exposure to elevated air pollution levels may worsen the effects of dementia, according to new research.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The data is also used by local communities to track harmful air pollution emitted by nearly industry, and by the United Nations as part of US duties under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Looking forward, 185 countries are negotiating a global plastics treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution by 2040, and to promote a closed loop approach, phasing out unnecessary plastics and encouraging the use of sustainable alternatives.
—Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The high number of low-income residents in Detroit and the city’s air pollution are among the risk factors that can worsen asthma and drive asthma rates, the report said.
—Rhonda Conner-Warren, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
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Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The data is also used by local communities to track harmful air pollution emitted by nearly industry, and by the United Nations as part of US duties under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Looking forward, 185 countries are negotiating a global plastics treaty aimed at ending plastic pollution by 2040, and to promote a closed loop approach, phasing out unnecessary plastics and encouraging the use of sustainable alternatives.
—Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The high number of low-income residents in Detroit and the city’s air pollution are among the risk factors that can worsen asthma and drive asthma rates, the report said.
—Rhonda Conner-Warren, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollution. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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
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
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