contaminate
[kənˈtæmɪneɪt]
Contaminate means to make something dirty or polluted by adding unwanted substances.
When we talk about contaminating water or food, it's usually because of something that's gone wrong. Maybe chemicals leaked into a river and now the fish are affected. Or perhaps someone contaminated their favorite salad with a spoiled ingredient. Contamination can happen in lots of ways – through accidents, poor handling, or even on purpose. We might hear about contamination in news stories when there's been a spill at a factory or when a company has been accused of putting something bad into its products.
How common is "contaminate"?
Word contaminate is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
verb
To make something dangerous or toxic by introducing impurities or foreign matter.
Example: This water is contaminated. It isn't safe to drink.
Real examples of "contaminated" in context
