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

More than 18,000 eggs sold in California have been recalled for possible salmonella contamination, according to a recall notice shared by state health officials. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025

During cross-examination, defense attorney Larry Tipton worked to discredit the physical evidence by focusing on the limitation of forensic testing as well as the chance of contamination. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Andrew Fone, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025

Rodents can spread a variety of illnesses through food contamination. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025

As of writing, no foodborne illnesses have been reported in relation to the contamination. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

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