pollution
HighFormal, Technical, Academic, Journalistic, Everyday
Definition
Meaning
The presence in or introduction into the environment of harmful or poisonous substances.
Also refers to the act of making something unclean, impure, or morally corrupt; contamination of various kinds.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a non-count noun. The countable sense 'a pollution' is rare but possible in technical contexts referring to a specific instance or type of contaminant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Some related terms may differ (e.g., 'rubbish' vs. 'trash' for waste that causes pollution).
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties, strongly associated with environmental degradation, industry, and public health.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties, central to environmental discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
pollution from + source (pollution from traffic)pollution of + thing polluted (pollution of the river)pollution caused by + agentpollution + verb (pollution increases)adjective + pollution (marine pollution)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pollution is the price we pay for progress. (common saying)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In CSR reports: 'The company committed to reducing its carbon and plastic pollution.'
Academic
In environmental science: 'The study measured the correlation between industrial effluent and aquatic pollution.'
Everyday
'The pollution in the city centre is terrible today.'
Technical
In engineering: 'The system includes a catalytic converter to mitigate exhaust pollution.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The factory was fined for polluting the local waterway.
- New regulations aim to prevent companies from polluting.
American English
- The spill polluted the entire wetland.
- Legislation was passed to stop them from polluting the air.
adverb
British English
- The car runs more cleanly and less pollutingly than its predecessor. (Rare)
American English
- The new plant operates less pollutingly. (Rare)
adjective
British English
- The polluting effects of the industry are clear.
- They installed less polluting equipment.
American English
- The most polluting vehicles face higher taxes.
- They adopted a less polluting process.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The air pollution is bad in big cities.
- We must not throw rubbish in the river to stop water pollution.
- The government introduced new laws to reduce plastic pollution.
- Noise pollution from the airport is a problem for local residents.
- Scientists are researching innovative methods to mitigate agricultural pollution of groundwater.
- Public awareness campaigns have been pivotal in combating marine pollution.
- The seminal report elucidated the nexus between economic policy, particulate pollution, and public health outcomes.
- Critics argue that carbon offsetting merely displaces rather than eliminates pollution.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a POOL that has a foul SOLUTION mixed into it = POOL + (SOL)UTION = POLLUTION.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLLUTION IS A STAIN/DISEASE ON THE ENVIRONMENT. (e.g., 'The river is diseased with pollution', 'a stain on the landscape')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'pollution' as 'грязь' (dirt/filth) in formal contexts; 'загрязнение' is the accurate equivalent.
- Do not confuse 'pollution' (negative) with 'population' (население). They are false friends in spelling/sound for learners.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'a pollution' incorrectly (e.g., 'It is a dangerous pollution' – usually uncountable).
- Misspelling as 'polution'.
- Confusing 'pollutant' (the substance) with 'pollution' (the state or phenomenon).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a common type of pollution?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily an uncountable noun. You say 'too much pollution', not 'too many pollutions'. A countable use ('various pollutions') is very rare and technical.
'Pollution' refers to the general phenomenon or state of being polluted (e.g., air pollution). A 'pollutant' is a specific substance that causes pollution (e.g., carbon dioxide is a pollutant).
Yes, metaphorically. It can refer to corrupting influence (e.g., 'the pollution of the mind by violent media') or unwanted energy/intrusion (e.g., 'radio frequency pollution').
The verb is 'to pollute'. The adjective is 'polluting' (e.g., a polluting industry) or 'polluted' (e.g., polluted water).
Collections
Part of a collection
Environment
B1 · 47 words · Nature, ecology and environmental issues.
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