Pollution: Meaning, Examples, and Environmental Effects

Meaning 1：Environmental contamination (pollution)

pollution 🔊

/pəˈluːʃən/

Harmful substances, like smoke, trash, or chemicals, that make our air, water, or land dirty and unsafe.

Pollution in a smoggy city with cars emitting exhaust fumes

Environmental contamination 🔊

➕

/ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntl kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən/

The presence or introduction of harmful substances or pollutants into the natural environment, causing adverse effects.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'pollutio', from 'polluere' (to defile) + '-tion' (action noun suffix).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a polluted river: 'P' for 'Particles' making the water 'Lute' (dirty). Pollution = many harmful particles.

📖 Example

The city has serious pollution problems, so on some days the sky is gray and people wear masks outside. 🔊 The city faces severe pollution issues, causing gray skies and requiring people to wear masks outdoors on certain days.

🔗 Collocations

air pollution – Contamination of the atmosphere by harmful substances such as smoke, fumes, and chemicals.

water pollution – Contamination of water bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans by waste or toxic substances.

environmental pollution – General term for the contamination of air, water, or land that harms ecosystems and human health.

🔄 Synonyms

contamination (n.) – The act of making something impure or unsafe by adding harmful substances.

impurity (n.) – A substance that makes something dirty or less pure.

befoulment (n.) – The process of making something dirty or filthy, especially through pollution.

🚫 Antonyms

cleanliness (n.) – The state of being free from dirt, pollutants, or impurities.

purity (n.) – The quality of being uncontaminated or free from harmful substances.

purification (n.) – The process of removing pollutants or contaminants to make something clean.

🌱 Derivatives

pollute (v.) – To make something dirty or harmful by adding waste or chemicals.

pollutant (n.) – A substance that pollutes the environment, especially one with harmful effects.

polluted (adj.) – Contaminated with harmful or unwanted substances.

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English via Old French in the 14th century. Today, it's central to environmental activism, frequently used in reports about air, water, and soil contamination.