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
Cat Fancy2
: 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
John Laffin… the material could be used as a filter for cleaning contaminated drinking water.—Alexandra Goho
Alexandra GohoExamples of contaminated in a Sentence
the hospitals had no choice but to throw out the contaminated blood supply
Recent Examples on the Web
Mostly encountered in developing countries with poor water sanitation, the shape-shifting amoeba typically enters a person's colon after ingesting contaminated food or water.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
The nation's top health advisor spent time with his grandchildren on Mother's Day in a contaminated Maryland creek, according to photos shared on his social media.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Residents can be exposed by drinking contaminated water or inhaling benzene that enters the air when tap water is heated up or boiled.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
The health inspectors found various hazards including contaminated food, unsafe temperatures, cross-contamination, lack of hand washing, broken equipment, and operating without proper oversight.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contaminated
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Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
The nation's top health advisor spent time with his grandchildren on Mother's Day in a contaminated Maryland creek, according to photos shared on his social media.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 13 May 2025
Residents can be exposed by drinking contaminated water or inhaling benzene that enters the air when tap water is heated up or boiled.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
The health inspectors found various hazards including contaminated food, unsafe temperatures, cross-contamination, lack of hand washing, broken equipment, and operating without proper oversight.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contaminated
Cite this Entry
“Contaminated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contaminated. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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