contamination

noun

con·​tam·​i·​na·​tion kən-ˌta-mə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated

2

: contaminant

Synonyms

• adulterant
• contaminant
• defilement
• impurity
• pollutant

Examples of contamination in a Sentence

swimming in the lake is banned until the contamination is identified and neutralized

Recent Examples on the Web

While cases of listeriosis are relatively rare, outbreaks of the serious illness occur sporadically and concerns of contamination by the bacteria are a common cause of food product recalls. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025

Health authorities in the US and elsewhere have issued dire warnings against feeding pets raw food, noting cases of contamination with salmonella, E. coli and listeria. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024

In September 2003, 3M officials met with the E.P.A. to discuss the company’s study of sludge contamination and other research, according to the internal records. —Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024

The Food and Drug Administration on Dec. 18 warned restaurants and retailers in 14 states and the District of Columbia to not serve or sell oysters recently harvested in parts of British Columbia because of potential norovirus contamination. —Phil Helsel, NBC News, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contaminacioun, borrowed from Latin contāminātiōn-, contāminātiō "defilement, pollution," from contāmināre "to defile, pollute" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contaminate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing contamination

• cross contamination
• self-contamination

Medical Definition

contamination

noun

con·​tam·​i·​na·​tion kən-ˌtam-ə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated

2

: something that contaminates