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
In 2018, London reached the legal limit for air pollution for the whole of the year less than a month in — which was actually an improvement on previous years, where that was breached within just six days.
—Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
And these revelations have, in some cases, led to stricter chemical regulations and grassroots efforts to curtail pollution.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2025
Environmental factors: Exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, or chemical fumes can increase your risk.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Mar. 2025
The Center for Biological Diversity, a marine welfare nonprofit, estimated that by 2050, plastic will outweigh all fish if pollution remains at its current rate.
—Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
And these revelations have, in some cases, led to stricter chemical regulations and grassroots efforts to curtail pollution.
—Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2025
Environmental factors: Exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, or chemical fumes can increase your risk.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Mar. 2025
The Center for Biological Diversity, a marine welfare nonprofit, estimated that by 2050, plastic will outweigh all fish if pollution remains at its current rate.
—Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 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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