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

• adulterant
• contaminant
• defilement
• impurity
• 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

Foods recalled dozens of types of frozen waffle products due to potential listeria contamination. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Green onions linked to potential salmonella contamination were recalled after being sold in several U.S. and Canadian stores, including Trader Joe's. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024

Taylor Farms has issued a recall on four raw onion products due to potential E. coli contamination. —Annika Kim Constantino,amelia Lucas, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2024

Read More The McDonald’s Quarter Pounder E.Coli outbreak has sparked a big onions recall Two of the biggest food distributors in the United States have issued recalls for onions following a potential E. coli contamination linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 25 Oct. 2024

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

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