contamination

noun
UK: /kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən/
US: /kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən/

  1. The process of making something impure or unsuitable by adding something harmful or unwanted.

    1. The water supply suffered contamination from nearby industrial runoff.
    2. The accidental contamination of food products led to a widespread recall by the company.

  2. The state of being polluted or tainted.

    1. Air contamination is a serious problem in big cities.
    2. The soil samples revealed a high level of contamination, making it unsuitable for farming.

  3. The presence of a minor and unwanted constituent in a material.

    1. The lab technician checked for contamination in the sample.
    2. Techniques were developed to minimize contamination during the manufacturing of semiconductors.

Synonyms

pollution adulteration taint
contamination transitive-verb

  1. To make something impure or unsuitable by adding a poisonous or polluting substance to it.

    1. Oil spills can contaminate beaches and harm wildlife.
    2. The factory was fined for contaminating the river with chemical waste.

  2. To make a place or substance dangerous or less pleasant by adding something harmful or unwanted to it.

    1. Ensure that sterile equipment is used, so as not to contaminate the wound during surgery.
    2. The investigation revealed that the organization's funds had been contaminated by money laundering activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "contamination" in English means: The process of making something impure or unsuitable by adding something harmful or unwanted., The state of being polluted or tainted., The presence of a minor and unwanted constituent in a material..

The phonetic transcription of "contamination" is /kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən/ in British English and /kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "contamination": pollution, adulteration, taint.

Example usage of "contamination": "The water supply suffered contamination from nearby industrial runoff.". More examples on the page.