Word
pollution
Phoneticspol·lu·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/pəˈɫuʃən/
UK/pəlˈuːʃən/
Definitions
01environmental contamination
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun
n. damage caused to water, air, or land by harmful waste or chemicals.
n. the presence or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.
“The factory was fined for dumping chemicals that caused water pollution in the local river.”
“Industrial pollution remains a significant threat to biodiversity in the region, as toxic runoff continues to seep into the groundwater supply.”
Usage
Usually uncountable when referring to the general phenomenon.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02disruptive noise or light
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. too much noise or light in a place that makes it unpleasant or difficult to see the stars.
n. the presence of disruptive or excessive levels of artificial light or noise in the environment.
“Light pollution from the big city makes it hard to see the stars at night.”
“Urban planners are increasingly concerned with noise pollution, implementing stricter zoning laws to protect residential areas from highway traffic sounds.”
Synonyms
03moral or spiritual corruption
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Religion Literary · Formal
n. the act of making something pure or holy dirty in a moral way.
n. the state of being morally or spiritually corrupted or defiled.
“The priest spoke about the pollution of the soul by greed and envy.”
“The text explores the symbolic pollution of the sacred temple by those who prioritised material wealth over spiritual devotion.”
Teaching tip
This sense is rare in modern conversation and is almost exclusively found in religious or historical academic contexts.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English pollucioun, pollucion (“desecration, impurity”), from Anglo-Norman pollutiun, Middle French pollution, pollucion, and their source, post-classical Latin pollūtiō (“defilement, desecration; nocturnal emission”) (4th century), from the participial stem of polluō (“to soil, defile, contaminate”), from por- (“before”) + -luō (“to smear”), related to lutum (“mud”) and luēs (“filth”). Compare Ancient Greek λῦμα (lûma, “filth, dirt, disgrace”) and λῦμαξ (lûmax, “rubbish, refuse”), Old Irish loth (“mud, dirt”), Lithuanian lutynas (“pool, puddle”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/pollution