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

The contamination was discovered after samples of the product were collected from a store in Baltimore, Maryland, and laboratory analysis by the State of Maryland Department of Health determined that they were contaminated with listeria. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

The attorneys also claim that the migrating contamination onto Tucson property constitutes trespassing. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024

Winona County adopted its animal cap ordinance in 1998 to balance the interests of farmers with the risks industrial agricultural practices pose to groundwater, specifically nitrate contamination, in the region’s porous karst geology. —John Molseed, Twin Cities, 10 Dec. 2024

The footage is largely black with Morse code audio and flashes of an island connected by a long land bridge, as well as statue-like figures (crucified zombies?), red skulls and red contamination symbols. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 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