Noun: pollution pu'loo-shun
- Undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities
"The pollution in the river made it unsafe for swimming"
- The act of contaminating or polluting; including (either intentionally or accidentally) unwanted substances or factors
"The pollution of the water supply posed a serious health risk to the community";
- contamination
- The state of being polluted
"The pollution of the river had severe consequences for local wildlife";
- befoulment [archaic], defilement
- Waste matter that contaminates the water, air or soil
"Factory emissions are a major source of air pollution";
- pollutant
Derived forms: pollutions
Type of: dirtiness, dirtying, environmental condition, impureness, impurity, soiling, soilure [archaic], uncleanness, waste, waste material, waste matter, waste product
Encyclopedia: Pollution