contaminated

adjective

con·​tam·​i·​nat·​ed kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnā-təd 

1

: soiled, stained, corrupted, or infected by contact or association

a contaminated wound

Urine and feces of infected cats and contaminated clothing, bedding, food bowls or toys are also possible modes of transmission.

—Cat Fancy

2

: made unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements

Botulinum toxin is a highly lethal substance which causes death, even in developed countries, when contaminated food is improperly canned or stored.

—John Laffin

… the material could be used as a filter for cleaning contaminated drinking water.

—Alexandra Goho

Synonyms

• adulterate
• adulterated
• alloyed
• dilute
• diluted
• impure
• polluted
• tainted
• thinned
• weakened

Examples of contaminated in a Sentence

the hospitals had no choice but to throw out the contaminated blood supply

Recent Examples on the Web

The agency notes that cats can contract the H5N1 virus from various sources, including consuming the meat of infected birds or animals, exposure to contaminated environments, or consumption of raw milk from infected cattle. —Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

One thing to consider is that the issue could be with contaminated packaging. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024

Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of certain trees, and heavy metals like lead, naturally present in the Earth’s crust, can leach into the bark through contaminated soil or groundwater. —Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 11 Dec. 2024

Is Arizona one of them? EPA ordered the Air Force to clean up contaminated groundwater In May, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered the Air Force and the Arizona National Guard to take action as PFAS continued to contaminate Tucson’s water supply. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of contaminate

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1