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pollutant
/pəˈluːtənt/
harmful substance
Industrial factories release pollutants into the air and water.
Factories often emit harmful substances that damage the environment.
technical
A substance that contaminates the environment, especially one that is harmful to living organisms.
The river was tested for pollutants after the chemical spill.
Scientists checked the water for harmful substances after the accident.
Vehicle exhaust is a major source of air pollutants.
Car emissions contribute significantly to air contamination.
Pollutants can be natural (e.g., volcanic ash) or man-made (e.g., plastic waste). They may cause health issues or ecological damage.
Collocations
toxic pollutanta pollutant that is poisonousindustrial pollutanta pollutant from factories or industrial processesenvironmental pollutanta pollutant that harms the natural environment
Pro Tip
Collocation with 'control'
Use 'control pollutants' to describe efforts to reduce or manage harmful substances, e.g., 'The city implemented new policies to control pollutants from factories.'
Gold Rule
Pollutant vs. Pollution
A 'pollutant' is a specific substance, while 'pollution' refers to the overall contamination or the process of contaminating. Example: 'Plastic is a pollutant causing ocean pollution.'
Word Origin
From Latin *polluere* (to defile) + *-ant* (forming nouns or adjectives indicating an agent or instrument). The term entered English in the mid-19th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in environmental science, public health, and regulatory contexts. Avoid using 'pollutant' to describe non-environmental contaminants unless in a technical or metaphorical sense.
Word Breakdown
pollu-
from Latin *polluere* (to defile)
root-ant
indicating an agent or substance
suffixEnglish Dictionary