decontaminate
verb
de·con·tam·i·nate
ˌdē-kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnāt 
decontaminated; decontaminating; decontaminates
: to rid of contamination (such as radioactive material)
Examples of decontaminate in a Sentence
Special workers were called in to decontaminate the area after the oil spill.
Recent Examples on the Web
Items worn in floodwaters should not be worn inside the home and should be decontaminated and washed, authorities said.
—
Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
The problem is exacerbated when healthcare workers turn to procedures to decontaminate and reuse masks, such as baking or boiling, UV light towers, even large fumigation machines, all of which can extinguish a mask’s electrostatic charge.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Sep. 2020
Solano County officials last fall enacted similar restrictions at Lake Berryessa, barring boats from the Delta unless they are quarantined or decontaminated.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Then on Wednesday, sheriff’s officials sent an urgent message to patrol cars, saying the Altadena air had become so toxic after days of wildfires that deputies should wear masks on the job and decontaminate their uniforms before stepping foot in their homes.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decontaminate
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Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
The problem is exacerbated when healthcare workers turn to procedures to decontaminate and reuse masks, such as baking or boiling, UV light towers, even large fumigation machines, all of which can extinguish a mask’s electrostatic charge.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Sep. 2020
Solano County officials last fall enacted similar restrictions at Lake Berryessa, barring boats from the Delta unless they are quarantined or decontaminated.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Then on Wednesday, sheriff’s officials sent an urgent message to patrol cars, saying the Altadena air had become so toxic after days of wildfires that deputies should wear masks on the job and decontaminate their uniforms before stepping foot in their homes.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decontaminate
Cite this Entry
“Decontaminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decontaminate. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decontaminate
verb
de·con·tam·i·nate
ˌdē-kən-ˈtam-ə-ˌnāt
: to rid of something (as radioactive material) that contaminates
Medical Definition
decontaminate
transitive verb
de·con·tam·i·nate
ˌdē-kən-ˈtam-ə-ˌnāt
decontaminated; decontaminating
: to rid of contamination (as radioactive material)
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