Word
pollutant
Phoneticspol·lu·tant, stress on the second syllable
US/pəˈɫutənt/
UK/pəlˈuːtənt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a substance that makes the air, water, or soil dirty and unsafe. You usually hear this word when talking about chemicals or waste that harm nature.
n. a substance or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired effects, or adversely affects the usefulness of a resource. Often refers to chemical waste, noise, or heat that contaminates natural systems.
Examples
“The factory released a dangerous pollutant into the nearby river.”
“Environmental scientists are monitoring the levels of every major pollutant in the city's air to ensure they meet safety standards.”
“While some substances occur naturally, they are classified as a pollutant when their concentration reaches levels that disrupt the ecological balance or pose a significant risk to human health.”
Examples
simple
“The factory released a dangerous pollutant into the nearby river.”
contextual
“Environmental scientists are monitoring the levels of every major pollutant in the city's air to ensure they meet safety standards.”
complex
“While some substances occur naturally, they are classified as a pollutant when their concentration reaches levels that disrupt the ecological balance or pose a significant risk to human health.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “pollutant” in context.
Verb
01. emit pollutant
“Power plants emit pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.”
verb + noun
02. monitor pollutant
“The agency uses sensors to monitor pollutants in the atmosphere.”
verb + noun
03. pollutant accumulate
“These pollutants accumulate in the fatty tissues of fish and animals.”
noun + verb
04. pollutant linger
“Certain pollutants linger in the environment for decades before breaking down.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. airborne pollutant
“Airborne pollutants can travel hundreds of miles from their original source.”
adj + noun
06. chemical pollutant
“Scientists are studying the effects of chemical pollutants on marine life.”
adj + noun
07. harmful pollutant
“The factory was fined for releasing harmful pollutants into the local river.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. concentration of pollutant
“The concentration of pollutants in the lake has reached a dangerous peak.”
noun + prep + noun
09. level of pollutant
“High levels of pollutants were detected in the city's air yesterday.”
noun + prep + noun
10. be exposed to pollutants
“People living near the highway are frequently exposed to pollutants.”
11. filter out harmful pollutants
“The mask is designed to filter out harmful pollutants from the air you breathe.”
12. reduce the emission of pollutants
“The government introduced new laws to reduce the emission of pollutants from factories.”
Usage
Commonly modified by adjectives like 'environmental', 'air', or 'industrial'.
Pitfall
The smoke is a pollution.
The smoke is a pollutant.
Learners often confuse the general process (pollution) with the specific substance causing it (pollutant).
Real-World Examples
“Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant in diesel exhaust, which has led to many UK and European cities introducing clean air and low-emission zones .” “It's not fresh oxygen; it's carbon dioxide and pollutants.” “Dry air typically means pollutants remain suspended in the air for extended periods.” “It led to international agreements curbing the pollutants from burning fossil fuels that acidify rain.” Etymology
From pollute + -ant.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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