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Glite Dictionary
sound pollution

sound pollution

3.7
Loud unwanted noise that disturbs people and can harm health
  • noun
  • /saʊnd pəˈluːʃən/
translation icon : contaminación acústica
  • The city's sound pollution affects the health and well-being of those living nearby, making it difficult to enjoy outdoor spaces.

Examples

  • In urban areas, increasing traffic contributes significantly to sound pollution, disturbing the peace for residents.

  • Chickens cause much less noise compared with regular urban sound pollution.

    Blog text (8)

  • Two of the main challenges to observing and listening to this nocturnal spectacle, particularly in an urban setting, are city lights and sound pollution.

    Blog text (21)

  • Efforts to reduce sound pollution include implementing quieter public transportation systems and creating green spaces.

Synonyms

noise
vssound pollution
∞ 1.0

A loud, unpleasant sound that disturbs you

describes ongoing unwanted environmental sound that causes harm
din
vssound pollution
28 3.9

Loud, unpleasant noise that continues and comes from many sources

is broader covering persistent harmful environmental sound not only sudden roars
noise level
vssound pollution
  • Specialized
5 3.1

How loud unwanted background sound is

is the phenomenon of harmful sound in the environment not its measurement
noise pollution
vssound pollution
3 3.2

Loud or unwanted sounds made by people that bother others and can harm health

is the general term for harmful background sound without stressing human cause
noisiness
vssound pollution
1 2.5

Loud sounds that continue and make it hard to think or sleep

emphasizes harmful effects on people rather than mere loud condition
racketiness
vssound pollution
9.0

A loud, constant noise that makes it hard to think

focuses on harmful environmental sound rather than just loudness or disturbance

Antonyms

quiet
45 1.0

A calm time with little or no sound

How Harmful

sound pollution
3.7
nuisance
62 3.6
background noise
  • Specialized
11 3.5

Surface Forms

sound pollution singular
sound pollutions plural

Morphology

sound + pollution

The meaning 'unwanted or harmful noise' is directly derivable from combining 'sound' (noise) with 'pollution' (harmful contamination), following the productive noun+pollution pattern seen in phrases like 'air pollution' and 'light pollution'. This compositional and cross-linguistically common pattern makes the term immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows both constituents, even if 'noise pollution' is the more frequent collocation.

Etymology

Sound pollution paints a simple picture: loud sound fills the air like dirty smoke from a factory, so the place becomes 'polluted' by noise. So it means 'unwanted or harmful noise' that disturbs people or can hurt their health.