Pol*lute" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Polluted; p. pr. & vb. n. Polluting.] [L. pollutus, p. p. of polluere to defile, to pollute, from a prep. appearing only in comp. + luere to wash. See Position, Lave.] 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.

Wickedness . . . hath polluted the whole earth.

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.

They have polluted themselves with blood.

Syn. -- To defile; soil; contaminate; corrupt; taint; vitiate; debauch; dishonor; ravish.

Pol*lute", a. [L. pollutus.] Polluted. [R.] Milton.

• to make something harmful, especially by the addition of some unwanted product
       The factory polluted the river when it cleaned it's tanks.
  
• to make something or somewhere less suitable for some activity, especially by the introduction of some unnatural factor
       The lights from the stadium polluted the night sky, and we couldn't see the stars.