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
Bradbury argues these policies could have unintended consequences that increase pollution.
—Jeff Brady, NPR, 26 June 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency issued tailpipe pollution standards in April designed to drive the share of electric vehicles up from 8% last year to as much as 56% by 2032.
—By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 June 2024
Stressors such as pollution, noise, artificial light and the worse feed found in cities are considered unhealthy for animals.
—Anders Brodin, Scientific American, 25 June 2024
Magnetism Can Reveal Levels of Local Air Pollution A chemical analysis of an area can find out how much pollution is in the air.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for pollution 
Jeff Brady, NPR, 26 June 2024
The Environmental Protection Agency issued tailpipe pollution standards in April designed to drive the share of electric vehicles up from 8% last year to as much as 56% by 2032.
—By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 June 2024
Stressors such as pollution, noise, artificial light and the worse feed found in cities are considered unhealthy for animals.
—Anders Brodin, Scientific American, 25 June 2024
Magnetism Can Reveal Levels of Local Air Pollution A chemical analysis of an area can find out how much pollution is in the air.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for pollution
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pollution.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pollution
Cite this Entry
“Pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollution. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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
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