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Contaminate: meaning, definitions and examples

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contaminate

 

[ kənˈtæmɪˌneɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

environmental pollution

To contaminate means to make something impure or unsuitable by contact or mixture with something unclean, harmful, or toxic. This can refer to water, food, air, or other substances.

Synonyms

corrupt, infect, pollute, taint

Examples of usage

  • The factory's waste contaminated the river, making it unsafe for swimming.
  • Improper disposal of chemicals can contaminate the soil and harm plant life.
  • The bacteria in the contaminated food caused an outbreak of illness in the community.

Translations

Translations of the word "contaminate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contaminar

🇮🇳 प्रदूषित करना

🇩🇪 verunreinigen

🇮🇩 mencemari

🇺🇦 забруднювати

🇵🇱 zanieczyścić

🇯🇵 汚染する (おせんする)

🇫🇷 contaminer

🇪🇸 contaminar

🇹🇷 kirletmek

🇰🇷 오염시키다

🇸🇦 يلوث

🇨🇿 kontaminovat

🇸🇰 kontaminovať

🇨🇳 污染 (wūrǎn)

🇸🇮 onesnažiti

🇮🇸 mengað

🇰🇿 ластау

🇬🇪 დაბინძურება

🇦🇿 çirkləndirmək

🇲🇽 contaminar

Word origin

The word 'contaminate' originated from the Latin word 'contaminatus', which means 'made impure'. The concept of contamination has been present throughout history, with societies recognizing the dangers of impurity in various forms. In modern times, the term is commonly used in the context of environmental pollution and food safety.

See also: contaminated, decontaminate, decontaminating.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,852, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.