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 … 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
Simple, inexpensive steps — washing hands, replacing contaminated curtains, removing unnecessary devices — have proven track records of reducing infections, saving lives and lowering costs.
—Karina Nicholas, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
As Thanksgiving is upon us, millions of Americans are getting ready to cook mountains of food and trying new recipes, but beware, as food recalls for contaminated products are currently underway.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 Nov. 2025
At least four families have sued infant formula maker ByHeart saying their babies contracted botulism from contaminated formula, as the company faces ongoing scrutiny from federal investigators and a separate class action lawsuit filed last week.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 22 Nov. 2025
Ice scoop was coated with white, slime-like buildup and lying in contaminated ice.
—Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contaminated
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Karina Nicholas, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
As Thanksgiving is upon us, millions of Americans are getting ready to cook mountains of food and trying new recipes, but beware, as food recalls for contaminated products are currently underway.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 Nov. 2025
At least four families have sued infant formula maker ByHeart saying their babies contracted botulism from contaminated formula, as the company faces ongoing scrutiny from federal investigators and a separate class action lawsuit filed last week.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 22 Nov. 2025
Ice scoop was coated with white, slime-like buildup and lying in contaminated ice.
—Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Nov. 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 17 Dec. 2025.
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