contaminant

noun

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

Synonyms of contaminant

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Examples of contaminant in a Sentence

a filter to remove contaminants from the drinking water
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Air contaminant source construction/installation without proper plan approval. — Meghan Schiller, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas and can smell like rotten eggs, signaling other contaminants may be in the area as well. — Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Consider pressure, moisture, contaminants and hazardous area requirements as part of the measurement problem. — Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Ahead of Thursday’s meeting, the AQMD also added conditions to mandate that Lineage continue tracking ammonia, smog-forming emissions and toxic air contaminants. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contaminant

Word History

Etymology

contamin(ate) + -ant entry 1

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contaminant was in 1922

Browse Nearby Words

contakion
contaminant
contaminate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contaminant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contaminant. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of contaminant for Spanish Speakers

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