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
- adulterant
- contaminant
- defilement
- impurity
- pollutant
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
swimming in the lake is banned until the contamination is identified and neutralized
Recent Examples on the Web These can typically be used in the mouth, armpit, or rectum, but each device should be limited to only one type of use in order to prevent cross-contamination. 
Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2022 Wilson blames contamination for some of his son's academic and developmental issues. Sara Sidner And Meridith Edwards, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Baltimore city officials continued searching for the source of an E. coli contamination of tap water Thursday, after a boil water advisory was lifted for a portion of the city. Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 The city Department of Public Works first learned Saturday of potential contamination at a test site in the Sandtown-Winchester and Harlem Park communities. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2022 The former was due to the discovery of metal contamination. Chris Smith, BGR, 5 Sep. 2022 Cross-contamination can lead to foodborne illnesses. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2022 One of the issues for Jordan River is E. coli, an indicator of fecal contamination, said Jodi Gardberg, manager of the Division of Water Quality’s watershed protection section. Alixel Cabrera, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 A month later, Figueroa sent documentation to the FDA that said Pharmatech was re-engineering its system to prevent water contamination. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 See More
Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2022 Wilson blames contamination for some of his son's academic and developmental issues. Sara Sidner And Meridith Edwards, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Baltimore city officials continued searching for the source of an E. coli contamination of tap water Thursday, after a boil water advisory was lifted for a portion of the city. Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 The city Department of Public Works first learned Saturday of potential contamination at a test site in the Sandtown-Winchester and Harlem Park communities. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2022 The former was due to the discovery of metal contamination. Chris Smith, BGR, 5 Sep. 2022 Cross-contamination can lead to foodborne illnesses. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2022 One of the issues for Jordan River is E. coli, an indicator of fecal contamination, said Jodi Gardberg, manager of the Division of Water Quality’s watershed protection section. Alixel Cabrera, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Sep. 2022 A month later, Figueroa sent documentation to the FDA that said Pharmatech was re-engineering its system to prevent water contamination. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 See More 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
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
contamination
noun
as in contaminant
something that is or that makes impure swimming in the lake is banned until the contamination is identified and neutralized Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- contaminant
- pollutant
- defect
- sludge
- impurity
- irregularity
- taint
- stain
- soil
- defilement
- adulterant
- dirt
- abnormality
- muck
- filth
- blot
- grime
- spot
- fault
- blotch
- blemish
- disfigurement
- flaw
- smut
- scum
- imperfection
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- filter
- purity
- cleanliness
- purifier
- refiner
- clarifier
- immaculateness