Pollution
/pəˈluːʃən/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.
/pəˈluːʃən/
The presence of harmful substances in the environment.
The government is working to reduce air pollution in major cities.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing outside and there's yucky stuff in the air or water that can make you sick. That's pollution! Like when cars make smoke, or factories dump waste.
👶 For kids: When the air or water gets dirty and can hurt living things.
More Examples
Industrial pollution has severely damaged the local ecosystem.
Noise pollution from construction sites disturbed the residents.
How It's Used
"Air pollution from factories is a major environmental concern."
"Water pollution can make it unsafe to swim in the lake."
The action of polluting something, especially the environment.
/pəˈluːʃən/
Introduction of harmful substances into the environment.
The study investigated the effects of plastic pollution on marine life.
💡 Simply: It's like when someone adds something bad to the air or water, and that thing makes it dirty or unhealthy.
👶 For kids: Making the air or water dirty.
More Examples
Addressing water pollution requires implementing stricter regulations.
Excessive pollution levels can lead to respiratory problems.
How It's Used
"The report details the sources and effects of various forms of pollution."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
noise pollution
Excessive or disruptive noise in an environment, often from human sources.
"Noise pollution from traffic can negatively impact the quality of life in urban areas."
air pollution
Harmful substances in the air.
"Air pollution can cause respiratory problems."
water pollution
Harmful substances in water.
"Water pollution can harm aquatic life."
From Latin *pollutionem* (nominative *pollutio*) 'a defilement, a making unclean,' from the past participle stem of *polluere* 'to defile, pollute,' from *por-* + *luere* 'to wash.'
The term 'pollution' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to defilement or contamination in a general sense, evolving to its current environmental meaning in the 19th and 20th centuries with the rise of industrialization.
Memory tip
Think of a polluted river filled with trash – it's harmful and dirty.
Word Origin
"To defile, make unclean"