polluted; polluting
1
a
: to make ceremonially or morally impure : defile
b
: debase sense 1
using language to deceive or mislead pollutes language—
Linda C. Lederman
Linda C. Lederman
polluter
noun
Examples of pollute in a Sentence
Miles of beaches were polluted by the oil spill.
Car exhaust pollutes the air.
Recent Examples on the Web
Expanding outdated, polluting infrastructure exacerbates climate change and threatens our future.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Aside from the methane smell that permeates the area around the landfill and the dust that pollutes our air, the decaying trash is most certainly leaching into the Biscayne Aquifer, the source of our drinking water.
—Jacqueline Railey, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2025
Home Electrification Fair Learn how to make your home healthier and more comfortable, while saving money and polluting less at the Home Electrification Fair.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
The barns would border Little River, which was already polluted with fecal coliform, possibly from existing poultry barns.
—Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pollute 
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Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Aside from the methane smell that permeates the area around the landfill and the dust that pollutes our air, the decaying trash is most certainly leaching into the Biscayne Aquifer, the source of our drinking water.
—Jacqueline Railey, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2025
Home Electrification Fair Learn how to make your home healthier and more comfortable, while saving money and polluting less at the Home Electrification Fair.
—Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
The barns would border Little River, which was already polluted with fecal coliform, possibly from existing poultry barns.
—Gavin Off, Charlotte Observer, 26 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pollute
Dictionary Entries Near pollute
Cite this Entry
“Pollute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollute. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pollute
verb
pol·lute
pə-ˈlüt 
polluted; polluting
: to make impure
especially
: to spoil (as a natural resource) with waste made by humans
industrial wastes polluted the river
Medical Definition
pollute
transitive verb
pol·lute
pə-ˈlüt
polluted; polluting
1
: to make physically impure or unclean
2
: to contaminate (an environment) especially with anthropogenic waste
polluter
noun
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