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

• 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

The ground and area around where the nest had been did not have any further contamination. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 4 Aug. 2025

Banks involved in financial loans tied to the properties also would want any contamination removed to avoid liability, Ross said. —Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2025

The contamination was identified during routine internal product testing by Doehler Dry Ingredient Solutions, LLC. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025

The rapid recharge increases its vulnerability to contamination. —Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 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