contamination

noun

con·tam·i·na·tion kən-ˌta-mə-ˈnā-shən

Synonyms of contamination next

: a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated

: contaminant

Examples of contamination in a Sentence

swimming in the lake is banned until the contamination is identified and neutralized

Recent Examples on the Web The Wall Street Journal on Sept. 4, 2023, removed from its website an article incorrectly dated Aug. 24, 2023, which reported that several countries had detected radioactive contamination in Japanese food exports. —

WSJ, 4 Sep. 2023 People are not going to the doctor as often for ailments caused by food contamination. —

Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2023 This is the sixth time since July that customers have been warned of potential food contamination for Trader Joe’s products, CBS News reported. —

Robert Higgs, cleveland, 1 Sep. 2023 But the contamination causing these illnesses is not limited to manufacturing. —

Sherri Gordon, Parents, 31 Aug. 2023 But Abbott has not been alone in facing those operational and contamination concerns. —

Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2023 Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said on Sunday that the agency was working to ensure the contamination is quickly remedied. —

Rebecca Carballo, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2023 Health effects of that kind of contamination can include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches and other symptoms. —

Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2023 The authors suggested further analysis and studies be conducted to determine the primary source of contamination in the straws and how the chemicals may impact drinks and people consuming them. —

Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contamination.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contaminacioun, borrowed from Latin contāminātiōn-, contāminātiō "defilement, pollution," from contāmināre "to defile, pollute" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contaminate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of contamination was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century