contaminated

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contaminate

An item that's contaminated has been mixed with or affected by something bad or unhealthy.

When we talk about contamination, we usually mean it's come from the environment. For example, if there's a spill of oil on the ground, the soil can become contaminated and not be safe for plants to grow in. Or, if you drink water that's been tainted with bacteria, your body might get sick because it's been contaminated by something bad. It's also possible for food to be contaminated during processing or packaging, so it's essential to check labels or listen to news about recalls when buying groceries.

How common is "contaminated"?

Word contaminated is considered rare in modern English.
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.
To soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or association.
To make unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements.
Example: Do not contaminate the peanut butter with the jelly.
To infect, often with bad objects

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