adulteration

noun

adul·​ter·​a·​tion ə-ˌdəl-tə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce adulteration (audio)
1
: the process of adulterating : the condition of being adulterated
2
: an adulterated product

Examples of adulteration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lead in cinnamon and other spices can occur through two pathways: unintentional contamination and adulteration. Hannah Singleton, Health, 20 Sep. 2024 The more concerning issue is adulteration, in which lead is deliberately added to the spice. Hannah Singleton, Health, 20 Sep. 2024 The agency’s lead hypothesis was that the contamination was the result of economically motivated adulteration of the cinnamon used in the applesauce. Bruce Gil, Quartz, 31 July 2024 Transparency envisions a near future where test kits are recognized as an essential tool for anyone consuming drugs or medications, providing a critical line of defense against adulteration. Miami Herald, 23 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for adulteration 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adulteration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French adulteracion, borrowed from Latin adulterātiōn-, adulterātiō, from adulterāre "to adulterate entry 1" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of adulteration was in 1503

Dictionary Entries Near adulteration

Cite this Entry

“Adulteration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adulteration. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

adulteration

noun
adul·​ter·​a·​tion ə-ˌdəl-tə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce adulteration (audio)
1
: the process of adulterating : the condition of being adulterated
2
: an adulterated product

More from Merriam-Webster on adulteration

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!