noun
Uncommon
contamination
kuhn-tam-ih-NAY-shuhn
Contamination (noun) means the act of making something impure or unsafe, or the harmful substance responsible for it. Example: “Radioactive contamination forced the evacuation of the area.”
noun
1
The act of making something impure or unsafe, or the harmful substance responsible for it.
"Radioactive contamination forced the evacuation of the area."
"Lab staff wear gloves to avoid contamination of the samples."
"Keep raw meat away from the salad to prevent contamination."
How to use contamination
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe presence of something harmful that has made a place, substance, or sample unsafe or impure.
Common pairings
risk of contamination
cross-contamination
soil contamination
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Word forms
- Plural
- contaminations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Radioactive _____ forced the evacuation of the area.
Etymology
From Latin contaminationem, from contaminare, "to defile or corrupt."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for contamination
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for contamination →
Frequently asked questions
What does “contamination” mean?
The word “contamination” means the act of making something impure or unsafe, or the harmful substance responsible for it. In plain terms, the presence of something harmful that has made a place, substance, or sample unsafe or impure.
How do you pronounce “contamination”?
“Contamination” is pronounced kuhn-tam-ih-NAY-shuhn (/kənˌtæm.əˈneɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “contamination” in a sentence?
Here is “contamination” used in a sentence: “Radioactive contamination forced the evacuation of the area.”
What is another word for “contamination”?
Words with a similar meaning to “contamination” include adulteration, defedation, defilement, pollution and sophistication.
What is the opposite of “contamination”?
The opposite of “contamination” — its antonyms — are conservation, decontamination, distillation and purification.
What part of speech is “contamination”?
“Contamination” is a noun.
Where does the word “contamination” come from?
The word “contamination” comes from Latin. From Latin contaminationem, from contaminare, "to defile or corrupt.".
Is “contamination” a common word?
“Contamination” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between contamination and pollution?
Contamination is a broader term for the presence of any harmful or unwanted substance that makes something impure or unsafe, including in food, water, medical equipment, or samples. Pollution usually refers specifically to contamination of the natural environment, such as air, water, or soil, on a larger scale.
What is cross-contamination?
Cross-contamination refers to contamination that spreads from one substance or surface to another, most commonly used in food safety to describe harmful bacteria transferring from raw food to other food or surfaces. It highlights how contamination can move indirectly rather than starting at the final affected item.
Can contamination refer to the substance itself, not just the process?
Yes, contamination can describe either the act of making something impure or the harmful substance responsible for it. For example, a report might discuss both the contamination of a water supply and the specific contamination found within it, such as lead or bacteria.
