decontaminate

verb

de·​con·​tam·​i·​nate ˌdē-kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce decontaminate (audio)
decontaminated; decontaminating; decontaminates

transitive verb

: to rid of contamination (such as radioactive material)
decontamination noun
decontaminator noun

Examples of decontaminate in a Sentence

Special workers were called in to decontaminate the area after the oil spill.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s no cost at Tahoe’s inspection station to decontaminate a kayak or paddleboard, plus experts will educate you on how to do it, Patten said. Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2025 Irradiating food is a safety measure aimed to decontaminate it. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Aug. 2025 For months, the day laborers had decontaminated homes that survived the Los Angeles wildfires. New York Times, 12 July 2025 The company would also deal with the problem of sealing the sample return capsule and making sure that it is decontaminated in accordance with NASA and international safety protocols against interplanetary contamination. New Atlas, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for decontaminate

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of decontaminate was in 1936

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decontaminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decontaminate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

decontaminate

verb
de·​con·​tam·​i·​nate ˌdē-kən-ˈtam-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce decontaminate (audio)
: to rid of something (as radioactive material) that contaminates
decontamination noun

Medical Definition

decontaminate

transitive verb
de·​con·​tam·​i·​nate ˌdē-kən-ˈtam-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce decontaminate (audio)
decontaminated; decontaminating
: to rid of contamination (as radioactive material)
decontamination noun

More from Merriam-Webster on decontaminate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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