pollution

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The presence of harmful or unwanted substances in the environment, causing damage to air, water, land, or living things.

   Grammar: Uncountable; no plural. Say 'pollution is a problem', not 'a pollution' or 'pollutions'.

   Patterns

   • air/water/noise pollution
   • reduce pollution
   • pollution from something

   Air pollution in the city has worsened because of the increase in cars.

   The factory was fined for causing water pollution in the river.

   Noise pollution from the nearby airport keeps residents awake at night.

2. 2noununcountable

   The act or process of making something dirty or harmful.

   Grammar: Uncountable; often used in formal or technical contexts.

   Patterns

   • the pollution of something

   The pollution of the lake by chemicals has killed many fish.

   Environmental groups are fighting against the pollution of our oceans.

Common combinations

air pollution

Air pollution is a major health risk in many big cities.

water pollution

Water pollution can make people sick if they drink from the river.

noise pollution

The construction work causes noise pollution all day.

reduce pollution

We need to reduce pollution by using public transport.

pollution levels

Pollution levels are highest in the morning rush hour.

Synonyms and how they differ

contamination

Often used for harmful substances in food, water, or materials, and can be countable; pollution is usually about the environment and is uncountable.

waste

Refers to unwanted material that is thrown away; pollution is the damage caused when waste enters the environment.

Opposites

Word family

pollute verb

To make air, water, or land dirty and harmful.

pollutant noun

A substance that causes pollution.

polluted adjective

Contaminated with harmful substances.

Commonly confused: pollution or contamination?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “pollution”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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