verb
pollute
puh-LOOT
verb
1
To make air, water, or land dirty or harmful, usually by adding waste or chemicals.
"The factory was fined for polluting the river with chemical runoff."
"Car exhaust pollutes the air in busy cities."
2
To spoil or corrupt something figuratively, such as an idea, discussion, or reputation.
"Rumors polluted the negotiations before they even began."
How to Use Pollute
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo dirty or contaminate something, usually the environment, with harmful substances.
Common pairings
pollute the air
pollute a river
pollute the environment
Word Forms
more pollute comparative, polluted past tense, pollutes singular, most pollute superlative
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Car exhaust _____ the air in busy cities.
Etymology
From Latin pollūtus, "defiled" or "unclean," the past participle of polluō, "to soil or dishonor."