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

Warming a meal completely takes about 15 minutes, with the temperature reaching 55 ºC (131 ºF) to ensure adequate heating that does not damage nutrients and prevents bacterial contamination. —New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2026

For now, areas in North Georgia downstream of Dalton are still exposed to contamination. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 3 Feb. 2026

Environmental cleanup crews have been working at the site, but a visible sheen of petroleum contamination can still be seen on the Flint River. —Nick Caloway, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026

Each No-Suction Cleaner reduces airborne contamination by eschewing suction and filters. —William Jones, USA Today, 1 Feb. 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