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

Environmental groups warn a mine in this water-rich area could lead to contamination. —Beret Leone, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

When contamination occurs, Burg Simpson has the resources to reach the scene and document evidence as quickly as possible. —Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026

One can point now to GE’s 20th century polluting of the Hudson River with PCB chemical contamination or to the tens of millions the company paid out in price-fixing claims during the 1960s. —Michael Kilian, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

If this happens, some experts might argue that using compounding pharmacies can come with a separate set of potential risks, such as contamination, inconsistent dosing or preparation errors. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 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