/ pəˈluːt; NAmE / verb
[ vn ] pollute sth (by / with sth) to add dirty or harmful substances to land, air, water, etc. so that it is no longer pleasant or safe to use :
the exhaust fumes that are polluting our cities
The river has been polluted with toxic waste from local factories.
( figurative )
a society polluted by racism
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin pollut- soiled, defiled, from the verb polluere , based on the root of lutum mud.