impurity
noun
im·pu·ri·ty
(ˌ)im-ˈpyu̇r-ə-tē 
plural impurities
1
: something that is impure or makes something else impure
removing impurities from water
2
: the quality or state of being impure
Examples of impurity in a Sentence
the impurity of the water
The syrup is strained to remove impurities.
The water is free of impurities.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chemical recycling, for instance, demands immense amounts of energy and chemicals to strip out impurities, especially from post-industrial waste streams.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 17 June 2026
When water freezes, these impurities solidify and block the straight path of light through the ice.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026
From there, the material is crushed, screened, and stripped of impurities.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
Each of these steps was necessary—in sequence, sometimes repeated—with washings to remove impurities (greases, salts) left by previous steps.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for impurity
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Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 17 June 2026
When water freezes, these impurities solidify and block the straight path of light through the ice.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2026
From there, the material is crushed, screened, and stripped of impurities.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
Each of these steps was necessary—in sequence, sometimes repeated—with washings to remove impurities (greases, salts) left by previous steps.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for impurity
Cite this Entry
“Impurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impurity. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impurity
noun
im·pu·ri·ty
(ˈ)im-ˈpyu̇r-ət-ē
plural impurities
1
: the quality or state of being impure
2
: something that is impure or that makes impure
remove impurities from water
Medical Definition
impurity
noun
im·pu·ri·ty
(ˈ)im-ˈpyu̇r-ət-ē
plural impurities
: something that is impure or makes something else impure
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