contaminant

noun

con·​tam·​i·​nant kən-ˈta-mə-nənt How to pronounce contaminant (audio)
: something that contaminates

Example Sentences

a filter to remove contaminants from the drinking water
Recent Examples on the Web These contaminants — and most importantly the dangerous neurotoxin lead — are odorless and colorless. Mark Patrick Taylor, CBS News, 26 May 2023 No contaminants had been found through Monday, city officials said. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2023 The failure of federal and state governments to keep contaminants out of the environment, scholars and environmental advocates say, calls into question their commitment to protect Indigenous rights. Bennet Goldstein, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2023 Another involved the use of heat to destroy certain contaminants. Robert Lewis, AZCentral.com, 1 Mar. 2023 Meanwhile, outdoor air monitoring remains ongoing with 15 air monitors in the area, which similarly have not yet detected any contaminants associated with the incident. Amanda Maile, ABC News, 28 Feb. 2023 The elementary ingredients of Prostadine shield your prostate health by flushing out these contaminants and toxic minerals from your body immediately. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2023 Thousands of fish were killed by the contamination washing down steams and rivers after the wreck, but state officials say the contaminants have since been contained. Christina Maxouris, CNN, 18 Feb. 2023 The challenges along the river are more complex, as a springtime flood could quickly whisk contaminants to a broad area and where responders have to act quickly to protect human infrastructure like drinking water intakes and natural resources like mussel beds. Chloe Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 15 May 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contaminant was in 1922

Dictionary Entries Near contaminant

Cite this Entry

“Contaminant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contaminant. Accessed 10 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

contaminant

noun
con·​tam·​i·​nant kən-ˈtam-ə-nənt How to pronounce contaminant (audio)
: something that contaminates

Medical Definition

contaminant

noun
con·​tam·​i·​nant kən-ˈtam-ə-nənt How to pronounce contaminant (audio)
: something that contaminates

More from Merriam-Webster on contaminant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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