noun · neutral
pollution
UK/pəˈluːʃ(ə)n/US/pəˈluːʃən/pol·LU·tion
The presence of harmful or poisonous substances in the environment (air, water, soil).
Examples
“Air pollution in big cities causes many health problems.”
“Factories must reduce pollution by treating waste properly.”
“Pollution levels rise during the dry season.”
Band 8 sentence
“Tackling industrial pollution requires coordinated policy, cleaner technology and stricter enforcement of environmental standards.”
Collocations
- air pollution
- water pollution
- reduce pollution
- industrial pollution
Word family
Common mistakes
environment pollution→environmental pollution
Many pollutions make the city dirty.→Many types of pollution make the city dirty. / Pollution makes the city dirty.
The river is full of pollutions.→The river is heavily polluted. / The river is full of pollutants.
Say it for a higher band
5dirtiness→6environmental problems→7+pollution
Synonyms
contamination
environmental degradation
Easily confused
contamination
“Food contamination can make people sick.”
smog
“Smog often hangs over the city in winter.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In -tion / -sion
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