pollution
/pəˈluːʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun]
The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects: the level of pollution in the air is rising...
- Insidious pollution of the soil is the main cause of extinction of plant species in the UK.
- People move or reduce physical activities when air pollution becomes intolerable.
- This is a wasteful process causing a net loss of nitrogen to the animal and pollution of the environment.
Synonyms
contamination, contaminating, adulteration, adulterating, tainting, impurity, fouling, befouling, foulness, dirtiness, dirtying, soiling, filthiness, infection, infecting
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin pollutio(n-), from the verb polluere (see pollute).