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

• adulterate
• adulterated
• alloyed
• dilute
• diluted
• impure
• polluted
• tainted
• thinned
• weakened

Examples of contaminated in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

This would add a cap on top of the contaminated soil, therefore protecting the household from immediate exposure. —Alyssa Hui, Health, 11 July 2024

That year, hundreds of people were sickened with an intestinal illness caused by consuming contaminated food or water. —Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN, 8 July 2024

Second, external factors like polluted water, dirt, manure (livestock can kick it into the milk supply), and contaminated equipment can introduce germs. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 2 July 2024

California has made significant progress helping small communities address problems of contaminated drinking water, but the costs of bringing safe tap water to hundreds of communities over the next five years will run more than $11.5 billion, according to a new state estimate. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of contaminate

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1