noun · academic
pollutant
/pəˈluːtənt/pol·LU·tant
a substance that makes air, water, or soil dirty or harmful
Examples
“Factory smoke is a major pollutant in the city.”
“Governments must limit the release of toxic pollutants into rivers.”
“Several pollutants were detected in the drinking water.”
Band 8 sentence
“The government should enforce stricter limits on industrial discharges to reduce the release of toxic pollutants into waterways.”
Collocations
- air pollutant
- to emit pollutants
- to reduce pollutant levels
Word family
Common mistakes
There are many pollutant in the river.→There are many pollutants in the river.
Car exhaust is a major pollution in urban areas.→Car exhaust is a major pollutant in urban areas.
Say it for a higher band
5pollution→6contaminant→7+pollutant
Synonyms
contaminant
toxin
Easily confused
pollution
“Industrial pollution has damaged local fisheries.”
contaminant
“Traces of chemical contaminants were found in the drinking water.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Nature & Animals
Learn it with its set