contamination
noun
con·tam·i·na·tion
| \ kən-ˌta-mə-ˈnā-shən
\
\
Definition of contamination
1
: a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated
2
: contaminant
Keep scrolling for more
Synonyms for contamination
Synonyms
adulterant, contaminant, defilement, impurity, pollutant
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of contamination in a Sentence
swimming in the lake is banned until the contamination is identified and neutralized
Recent Examples on the Web
Decaying plumbing lines are to blame for the lead contamination, according to the publication. — Char Adams, PEOPLE.com, "Protesters Outside MTV VMAs Draw Attention to New Jersey Water Crisis," 27 Aug. 2019 While the Arch Mission Foundation didn’t violate any official international regulations for space contamination, the nonprofit may have put Israel and the US in a vulnerable position by not explicitly asking for permission first. — Loren Grush, The Verge, "Why stowaway creatures on the Moon confound international space law," 16 Aug. 2019 Even with isolation of the nuclear reactor from direct contact with the air, however, the exhaust of such an engine would inevitably include some nuclear contamination—which is why Russia has been testing the Burevestnik offshore. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "Russian nuclear-powered cruise missile blows up, creating “mini-Chernobyl”," 12 Aug. 2019 Researchers and regulators are also confronting contamination in groundwater, soil, and air; effects of other types of PFAS; and the need for health studies. — Laura Mccrystal, https://www.inquirer.com, "Setting clean water standards is the EPA’s job. Pa. and other states are doing it instead.," 6 June 2019 After three months of painstaking work to clear out hazardous debris and shore up the building, regional French authorities suspended all activity inside the cathedral last month over concerns about lead contamination. — Angela Charlton, chicagotribune.com, "Stones fell from Notre Dame’s ceiling after July heat wave," 15 Aug. 2019 After three months of painstaking work to clear out hazardous debris and shore up the building, regional French authorities suspended all activity inside the cathedral last month over concerns about lead contamination. — Washington Post, "Stones fell from Notre Dame’s ceiling after July heat wave," 15 Aug. 2019 In addition, last year Claire’s moved to talc-free cosmetic manufacturing to prevent any further concerns about talc contamination. — Claudia Harmata, PEOPLE.com, "JoJo Siwa Addresses Makeup Kit Being Recalled for Containing Asbestos: 'It Is Serious to Me'," 16 June 2019 The discoveries have sparked food safety concerns, as some are worried about contamination among the seals. — Fox News, "At least 60 ice seals reported dead in Alaska, officials say," 13 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contamination.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for contamination
contamination
noun
con·tam·i·na·tion
| \ kən-ˌtam-ə-ˈnā-shən
\
\
Medical Definition of contamination
1
: a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated
2
: something that contaminates
Keep scrolling for more