contamination

noun

con·​tam·​i·​na·​tion kən-ˌta-mə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated

2

: contaminant

Synonyms of contamination

• contaminant
• pollutant

Examples of contamination in a Sentence

swimming in the lake is banned until the contamination is identified and neutralized

Recent Examples on the Web

Heat and moisture accumulate around the leaves, stems, and roots of plants, and supplementing soil with acetate exacerbates the risk of microbial contamination. —Derek Norman, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Greenish or iridescent egg white is spoiled from Pseudomonas bacteria, and any black or green spots are also a sign of fungal or bacterial contamination, according to the Egg Safety Center. —Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 10 June 2026

The federal agency released a 2,700-page environmental impact report of the site, which found a leaking sewer system, mold, diesel fuel contamination, asbestos and lead. —Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 9 June 2026

What’s more, handling a mummy exposes it to potential contamination from modern bacteria and fungi, further clouding the picture of its microbial makeup. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contaminacioun, borrowed from Latin contāminātiōn-, contāminātiō "defilement, pollution," from contāmināre "to defile, pollute" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contaminate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing contamination

• cross-contamination
• self-contamination

Rhymes for contamination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

contamination

noun

con·​tam·​i·​na·​tion kən-ˌtam-ə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated

2

: something that contaminates