Pollute means to contaminate or make impure, by adding substances or materials that are harmful or poisonous. It refers to the act of spoiling or making something dirty, through the addition of foreign particles or matter. Pollution is often associated with environmental damage caused by human activities such as industrial processes, transportation, agricultural practices and waste disposal. The term pollute can also refer to contamination on a more general level, including things like air, water, soil, food, etc., which are affected by impurities or harmful substances.