contaminated

adjective

con·​tam·​i·​nat·​ed kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnā-təd 

1

: soiled, stained, corrupted, or infected by contact or association

a contaminated wound

Urine and feces of infected cats and contaminated clothing, bedding, food bowls or toys are also possible modes of transmission.

—Cat Fancy

2

: made unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements

Botulinum toxin is a highly lethal substance which causes death, even in developed countries, when contaminated food is improperly canned or stored.

—John Laffin

… the material could be used as a filter for cleaning contaminated drinking water.

—Alexandra Goho

Synonyms

• adulterate
• adulterated
• alloyed
• dilute
• diluted
• impure
• polluted
• tainted
• thinned
• weakened

Examples of contaminated in a Sentence

the hospitals had no choice but to throw out the contaminated blood supply

Recent Examples on the Web

Amen Dunes – Death Jokes Sub Pop Based on recent interviews, Damon McMahon, the primary force behind the strange, contaminated folk of Amen Dunes, seems to be in a good place. —Reed Jackson, SPIN, 15 May 2024

It is believed that there was a single introduction of the virus from wild bird exposure (either by passive exposure, or maybe from eating contaminated feed), that probably occurred in December in Texas. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of contaminate

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1