pollute Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make impure
    foul; contaminate.
    • The industrial wastes polluted the lake

WordNet

Pol*lute" transitive verb
Etymology
L. pollutus, p. p. of polluere to defile, to pollute, from a prep. appearing only in comp. + luere to wash. See Position, Lave.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Polluted; present participle & verbal noun Polluting
Definitions
  1. To make foul, impure, or unclean; to defile; to taint; to soil; to desecrate; -- used of physical or moral defilement.
    The land was polluted with blood. Ps. cvi. 38
    Wickedness . . . hath polluted the whole earth. 2 Esd. xv. 6.
  2. To violate sexually; to debauch; to dishonor.
  3. (Jewish Law) To render ceremonially unclean; to disqualify or unfit for sacred use or service, or for social intercourse.
    Neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die. Num. xviii. 32.
    They have polluted themselves with blood. Lam. iv. 14.
    Syn. -- To defile; soil; contaminate; corrupt; taint; vitiate; debauch; dishonor; ravish.
Pol*lute" adjective
Etymology
L. pollutus.
Definitions
  1. Polluted. R. Milton.

Webster 1913