Pollutant Meaning
/pəˈl(j)uːtənt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA foreign substance that makes something dirty, or impure, especially waste from human activities.
Sentence Examples
We can conclude that this phenomenon is not related to either pollutant.
Lead is a common environmental pollutant.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Every day, the factory releases a harmful ____ into the river, causing pollution.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Carbon dioxide is considered a major atmospheric ____ contributing to global climate change.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English pollute Proto-Indo-European *-onts Latin -ns Latin -āns Old French -antbor. Proto-Indo-European *-onts Proto-Germanic *-ndz Proto-West Germanic *-andī Old English -ende Middle English -ant English -ant English pollutant From pollute + -ant.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Acid rain forms when water in the atmosphere condenses on particles containing acid-forming pollutants, such as sulfate produced by the burning of fossil fuels and nitrogen oxides from automobile exhausts."
— 1987 January 20, “Airborne Pollutants”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Every day, the factory releases a harmful ____ into the river, causing pollution.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Carbon dioxide is considered a major atmospheric ____ contributing to global climate change.