1. The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment: People noticed a lot of pollution in the air after the new rubber factory opened in the valley.
2. An undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities: After the river overflowed, a condition of pollution, including junk and rubbish, could be seen on the land when it receded.
3. The act of contaminating, involving (either intentionally or accidentally) unwanted substances or factors: The children unwittingly contributed pollution to the park by dropping candy wrappers on the grass and pathway. 
4. Etymology: from Late Latin pollutionem, pollutio, "defilement"; from Latin polluere, "to soil, to defile, to contaminate"; from por-, "before" + -luere, "to smear".

Related "to lutum, "mud", and to lues, "filth"; comparable to Greek lyma, "filth, dirt, disgrace"; and lymax, "rubbish, refuse".

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The effects of electromagnetic interference produced by human-made apparatus.

The seriousness of this interference ranges from annoying interference that affects a radio or television channel to interference which causes failure of an important communication channel or a cardiac pacemaker.

Contamination where ocean tides and river currents meet with sewage effluents, chemicals, detergents, and fertilizer runoffs.

The release of heated fluids into a body of water, that results in increased water temperature that is harmful to the environment.

An excessive raising or lowering of water or air temperatures above normal seasonal levels caused by industrial processes or other human activities.

A subjective term for graffiti, signs, billboards, outdoor advertising, power lines, neon lighting, telephone towers; and other such features of the industrial landscape which are perceived to be offensive, unattractive, or otherwise negatively affecting the visual environment.