pollution
noun /pəˈluːʃn/
/pəˈluːʃn/
[uncountable]- the process of making air, water, soil, etc. dirty; the state of being dirty
- air/water pollution
- to reduce pollution levels
- new pollution control technologies
Collocations The environmentThe environmentEnvironmental damage- cause/contribute to climate change/global warming
- produce pollution/CO2/greenhouse (gas) emissions
- damage/destroy the environment/a marine ecosystem/the ozone layer/coral reefs
- degrade ecosystems/habitats/the environment
- harm the environment/wildlife/marine life
- threaten natural habitats/coastal ecosystems/a species with extinction
- deplete natural resources/the ozone layer
- pollute rivers and lakes/waterways/the air/the atmosphere/the environment/oceans
- contaminate groundwater/the soil/food/crops
- log forests/rainforests/trees
- address/combat/tackle the threat/effects/impact of climate change
- fight/take action on/reduce/stop global warming
- limit/curb/control air/water/atmospheric/environmental pollution
- cut/reduce pollution/greenhouse gas emissions
- offset carbon/CO2 emissions
- reduce (the size of) your carbon footprint
- achieve/promote sustainable development
- preserve/conserve biodiversity/natural resources
- protect endangered species/a coastal ecosystem
- prevent/stop soil erosion/overfishing/massive deforestation/damage to ecosystems
- raise awareness of environmental issues
- save the planet/the rainforests/an endangered species
- conserve/save/consume/waste energy
- manage/exploit/be rich in natural resources
- dump/dispose of hazardous/toxic/nuclear waste
- dispose of/throw away litter/(especially British English) rubbish/(especially North American English) garbage/(North American English) trash/sewage
- use/be made from recycled/recyclable/biodegradable material
- recycle bottles/packaging/paper/plastic/waste
- promote/encourage recycling/sustainable development/the use of renewable energy
- develop/invest in/promote renewable energy
- reduce your dependence/reliance on fossil fuels
- get/obtain/generate/produce electricity from wind, solar and wave power/renewable sources
- build/develop a (50-megawatt/offshore) wind farm
- install/be fitted with/be powered by solar panels
Extra ExamplesTopics The environmenta2- Environmentalists say there is a high risk of pollution from the landfill site.
- Many athletes feel the effects of air pollution during outdoor exercise.
- The computer model assesses the likely impact of new pollution sources.
- The summit ended with a joint pledge to limit pollution.
- a convention on combating atmospheric pollution
- a new market in pollution credits
- a tightening of water pollution standards
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- air
- atmospheric
- environmental
- …
- cause
- create
- emit
- …
- level
- abatement
- control
- …
- the cost of pollution
- the effects of pollution
- a risk of pollution
- …
- substances that make air, water, soil, etc. dirty
- beaches covered with pollution
- The new buses emit no more pollution than the average car.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- air
- atmospheric
- environmental
- …
- cause
- create
- emit
- …
- level
- abatement
- control
- …
- the cost of pollution
- the effects of pollution
- a risk of pollution
- …
- noise/light pollution harmful or annoying levels of noise, or of artificial light at night
- Heavy traffic flow is a major source of noise pollution in urban areas.
- The government has announced plans to tackle light pollution.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- air
- atmospheric
- environmental
- …
- cause
- create
- emit
- …
- level
- abatement
- control
- …
- the cost of pollution
- the effects of pollution
- a risk of pollution
- …
Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin pollutio(n-), from the verb polluere, based on the root of lutum ‘mud’.