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
Industrial waste, pesticides, and poor waste management have pushed soil pollution to alarming levels worldwide.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
This explosive strengthening is happening more often as the world warms due to fossil fuel pollution.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
New Delhi pollution hits five-year high Air pollution in New Delhi hit a five-year high this week, as Diwali fireworks combined with farming fires to shroud the city in a toxic haze.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The pollution peaks during Diwali, but the air quality remains a cause of health concerns for most part of the year, according to officials.
—Rajeev Tyagi, ABC News, 22 Oct. 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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Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
This explosive strengthening is happening more often as the world warms due to fossil fuel pollution.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
New Delhi pollution hits five-year high Air pollution in New Delhi hit a five-year high this week, as Diwali fireworks combined with farming fires to shroud the city in a toxic haze.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The pollution peaks during Diwali, but the air quality remains a cause of health concerns for most part of the year, according to officials.
—Rajeev Tyagi, ABC News, 22 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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