Contaminate: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when something is made impure or harmful by contact with an undesirable substance. Often used for chemicals or germs in food, water, or the environment.

• They had to close the beach because the water was contaminated with bacteria.
• Do not let the chemicals contaminate the lab equipment.

Used when harmful substances are introduced into the environment, affecting air, water, or soil quality. Often used in contexts related to environmental protection.

• Factories that pollute the river will face heavy fines.
• The new laws aim to reduce car emissions that pollute the air.

Used when living organisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi invade and multiply within a host organism, causing disease. Mostly used in medical or biological contexts.

• The wound could infect if not properly cleaned.
• He was infected with the flu virus.

Used when something is damaged or spoiled, often in terms of reputation or purity. Can be used both literally and figuratively.

• The scandal will taint her otherwise impeccable reputation.
• The meat was tainted and had to be thrown away.

Applied when something or someone is influenced or perverted in a harmful way, usually ethically or morally. Often used for people, ideas, files, or systems.

• Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
• The politician was found to be corrupt and was removed from office.