contaminant

noun

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

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.
Some brands of frozen shrimp sold at Illinois Jewel-Osco stores are being recalled because of possible exposure to a radioactive contaminant. Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025 The products must also come from a legally compliant source and undergo third-party testing for CBD levels and contaminants. Luke Fountain,brandon Gomez, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025 This work may also reveal new threats—a new contaminant or bad bacteria, perhaps—and identify struggling whales early on. Kelso Harper, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025 Those chemicals, along with boating gas and oil contaminants, could flow back into the creek, nearby wetlands and well groundwater, per the letter. Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contaminant

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contaminant was in 1922

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contaminant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contaminant. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.

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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