noun
pollution
puh-LYOO-shuhn
noun
1
The contamination of the environment with harmful substances, noise, or light.
"Air pollution in the city has reached dangerous levels this week."
"Plastic pollution is choking marine life across the ocean."
How to Use Pollution
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHarmful contamination of the air, water, soil, or environment more broadly.
Common pairings
air pollution
noise pollution
reduce pollution
Word Forms
pollutions plural
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Air _____ in the city has reached dangerous levels this week.
Etymology
From Latin pollūtiō, "defilement," ultimately from polluō, "to soil or contaminate."