- 1to add dirty or harmful substances to land, air, water, etc. so that it is no longer pleasant or safe to use pollute something the exhaust fumes that are polluting our cities pollute something by/with something The river has been polluted with toxic waste from local factories.
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- 2(figurative) a society polluted by racism Topic CollocationsThe Environmentenvironmental damage
- cause/contribute to climate change/global warming
- produce pollution/CO2/greenhouse (gas) emissions
- damage/destroy the environment/a marine ecosystem/the ozone layer/coral reefs
- degrade ecosystems/habitats/the environment
- harm the environment/wildlife/marine life
- threaten natural habitats/coastal ecosystems/a species with extinction
- deplete natural resources/the ozone layer
- pollute rivers and lakes/waterways/the air/the atmosphere/the environment/oceans
- contaminate groundwater/the soil/food/crops
- log forests/rainforests/trees
- address/combat/tackle the threat/effects/impact of climate change
- fight/take action on/reduce/stop global warming
- limit/curb/control air/water/atmospheric/environmental pollution
- cut/reduce pollution/greenhouse (gas) emissions
- offset carbon/CO2 emissions
- reduce (the size of) your carbon footprint
- achieve/promote sustainable development
- preserve/conserve biodiversity/natural resources
- protect endangered species/a coastal ecosystem
- prevent/stop soil erosion/overfishing/massive deforestation/damage to ecosystems
- raise awareness of environmental issues
- save the planet/the rainforests/an endangered species
- conserve/save/consume/waste energy
- manage/exploit/be rich in natural resources
- dump/dispose of hazardous/toxic/nuclear waste/sewage
- dispose of/throw away litter/garbage/trash
- use/be made from recycled/recyclable/biodegradable material
- recycle bottles/packaging/paper/plastic/waste
- promote/encourage recycling/sustainable development/the use of renewable energy
- develop/invest in/promote renewable energy
- reduce your dependence/reliance on fossil fuels
- get/obtain/generate/produce electricity from wind, solar, and wave power/renewable sources
- build/develop a (50-megawatt/offshore) wind farm
- install/be powered by solar panels
pollute
verbNAmE//pəˈlut//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they pollute he / she / it pollutes
past simple polluted
-ing form polluting
Check pronunciation: pollute