contamination

noun

con·​tam·​i·​na·​tion kən-ˌta-mə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated

2

: contaminant

Synonyms of contamination

• contaminant
• pollutant

Examples of contamination in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Glutathione is processed in sterile compounding pharmacies, and there have been cases of people getting poisoned due to contamination at these facilities, Sack said. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Similarly, more than one million eggs were recalled last month for potential salmonella contamination. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

The Food and Drug Administration reported that bottles of Clear Eyes Maximum Itchy Eye Relief have been voluntarily recalled over potential contamination. — Jane Weaver, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2026

In Italian restaurants especially, one of the biggest obstacles to having gluten-free food is preventing cross-contamination. — Elizabeth MacBride, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

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

Phrases Containing contamination

• cross-contamination
• self-contamination

Rhymes for contamination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

contamination

noun

con·​tam·​i·​na·​tion kən-ˌtam-ə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated

2

: something that contaminates