Pollution

/pəˈluːʃən/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing that has harmful or poisonous effects.

Air pollution has been linked to numerous health problems.

The act of contaminating or making something impure.

Water pollution is a major concern for marine life.

The state of being polluted.

The pollution of the city’s rivers has reached alarming levels.

From Latin 'pollutio', meaning 'defilement, staining'.

air pollution

Contamination of the atmosphere, especially by smoke and waste gases.

water pollution

The contamination of water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.

land pollution

The degradation of Earth's land surfaces through misuse of various resources.

light pollution

Excessive or obtrusive artificial light impacting the natural environment or people's health.

contaminate

To make something impure by exposure to or addition of a poisonous or polluting substance.

degrade

To lower in quality or value; to deteriorate.

toxicity

The degree to which a substance can harm humans or animals.

Smog

The smog in the city was so thick you could barely see across the street.

Gunk

There's a lot of gunk in the waterways from the factory runoff.