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

This lingering contamination can cause health problems, too. —Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 13 Jan. 2025

Given that over 12,000 structures have burned in Los Angeles as of Monday morning, the potential of widespread contamination is significant, Kearns warns. —Hannah Singleton, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025

When parts of it are malfunctioning, burned or broken, the water system is vulnerable to contamination. —Pien Huang, NPR, 11 Jan. 2025

Treating water is not advised until the levels of contamination are known. —Andrew J. Whelton, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025

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