pollution
[noun]
Synonyms: contamination, corruption, defilement, dirtying, foulness, impurity, taint, uncleanness

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

pol‧lu‧tion W2 /pəˈluːʃən/ noun [uncountable]

1. the process of making air, water, soil etc dangerously dirty and not suitable for people to use, or the state of being dangerously dirty:
California’s tough anti-pollution laws
air/water/soil pollution
air pollution from traffic fumes
pollution prevention/standards/control
The costs of pollution control must be considered.

2. substances that make air, water, soil etc dangerously dirty:
a plan to reduce pollution
industrial/chemical etc pollution
the effects of industrial pollution on the population
The chemicals have been identified as a source of pollution.
⇒ noise pollution
GRAMMAR
Pollution is an uncountable noun and has no plural form. Use a singular verb after it:
The pollution is worse during winter.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

pollution
noun
ADJ. air, atmospheric, environmental, marine, river, water | chemical, industrial, nuclear | lead, nitrate, noise, oil, ozone, sewage, vehicle, etc. | airborne
VERB + POLLUTION cause | avoid, prevent | combat, control, fight, tackle a convention on combating atmospheric pollution
cut, limit, minimize, reduce The summit ended with a joint pledge to limit pollution.
monitor
POLLUTION + NOUN level | abatement, control, prevention, reduction | limits | standards a tightening of water pollution standards
monitoring | inspectorate, watchdog a survey by the government's water pollution watchdog
incident, problem | laws, legislation, regulations | offence | sources The computer model assesses the likely impact of new pollution sources.
PHRASES the cost of pollution the cost of air pollution in health and other terms
a risk of pollution Environmentalists say there is a high risk of pollution from the landfill site.
a source of pollution

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

pollution

bad/serious/severe
The mines have caused serious pollution of the river system.
The pollution was so bad that most of the fish died.
air pollution
Air pollution can cause breathing problems for some people.
atmospheric pollution formal (=air pollution)
The oil wells continued to burn, causing atmospheric pollution on a massive scale.
water/river pollution
The National Rivers Authority tests levels of water pollution.
marine pollution formal (=pollution of the sea)
Oil spills are a major cause of marine pollution.
environmental pollution
Most environmental pollution originates in the developed countries.
industrial pollution (=from factories)
A study has linked ill health in the area with industrial pollution.
chemical pollution
Chemical pollution threatens the survival of these animals.
reduce/cut pollution
New measures are needed to reduce pollution from cars.
control pollution
The water company is failing to control pollution.
tackle/combat pollution (=try to deal with it)
Governments must tackle pollution now.
prevent pollution
Efforts are being made to prevent further pollution.
monitor pollution (=measure it)
It is possible to monitor pollution from incinerator chimneys.
pollution levels
The aim is to reduce pollution levels to those of the 1930s.
a pollution problem
Environmentalists fear that the new factories will lead to severe pollution problems.
pollution control
Effective pollution control was not being undertaken.
a source/cause of pollution
The factory was a clear source of pollution.
Fumes from cars are a major cause of air pollution.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

pollution
noun
BAD: The world's most serious ecological problem is the pollution.
GOOD: The world's most serious ecological problem is pollution.

Usage Note:
See THE 4 (the)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲