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 recent years, the WIN Waste facility has advertised millions of dollars in upgrades meant to tamp down air pollution.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2025
By expanding recycling beyond just plastic bottles and milk jugs, pyrolysis could reduce the amount of plastic waste pollution that ends up in landfills and oceans.
—Alexander Kaplitz, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial activity, wildfires, and weather patterns that prevent pollution from dispersing.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Another 2025 study by researchers at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health showed exposure to pollution might cause difficulty for those trying to get pregnant through IVF.
—Tracy J. Wholf, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pollution
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2025
By expanding recycling beyond just plastic bottles and milk jugs, pyrolysis could reduce the amount of plastic waste pollution that ends up in landfills and oceans.
—Alexander Kaplitz, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
These pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial activity, wildfires, and weather patterns that prevent pollution from dispersing.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Another 2025 study by researchers at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health showed exposure to pollution might cause difficulty for those trying to get pregnant through IVF.
—Tracy J. Wholf, CBS News, 14 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 22 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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