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

Fruits, leafy greens and other produce can become adulterated with listeria through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of said growing area to livestock, USA TODAY previously reported. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Community officials have issued a precautionary boil water notice after a water main break led to a loss of pressure, posing a risk of contamination to the public water supply. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Other challenges include the risk of syngas contamination and chemical modification of the catalysts. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025

To reduce the risk of bird flu contamination in raw milk cheese, experts suggest a few practical steps. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2025

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