contaminated

adjective

con·​tam·​i·​nat·​ed kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnā-təd 

1

: soiled, stained, corrupted, or infected by contact or association

a contaminated wound

Urine and feces of infected cats and contaminated clothing, bedding, food bowls or toys are also possible modes of transmission.

—Cat Fancy

2

: made unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements

Botulinum toxin is a highly lethal substance which causes death, even in developed countries, when contaminated food is improperly canned or stored.

—John Laffin

… the material could be used as a filter for cleaning contaminated drinking water.

—Alexandra Goho

Synonyms

• polluted
• thinned
• diluted
• dilute
• tainted

Examples of contaminated in a Sentence

the hospitals had no choice but to throw out the contaminated blood supply

Recent Examples on the Web

An investigation determined that she was accidentally exposed to a contaminated batch of melatonin. —Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 12 July 2025

More serious conditions like infection can also occur if contaminated water enters small cuts or open wounds in the skin, and can progress to sepsis if left untreated. —Bymary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 July 2025

According to Kelley Blue Book, water can destroy electrical and mechanical systems, and contaminated lubricants can lead to mold, rust, and corrosion over time. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 11 July 2025

People mainly get the virus from breathing in contaminated air such as when cleaning sheds, barns, or garages where infected rodents are found. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of contaminate

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for contaminated

• abbreviated
• accelerated
• accentuated
• accommodated
• acculturated
• accumulated
• acidulated
• adjudicated
• administrated
• adulterated
• affiliated
• agglomerated