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Contamination Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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contamination

[kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

environmental

The action or state of making something impure by exposure to harmful substances.

Synonyms

impurity, pollution, tainting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
contamination

Contamination is used to describe the presence of harmful or unwanted substances in something. It is often used in science, medical, and environmental contexts.

  • The factory was shut down due to water contamination
  • The laboratory tests revealed contamination in the food samples
pollution

Pollution is used to describe the introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment. It is commonly discussed in environmental science and public health.

  • Air pollution in the city has reached dangerous levels
  • Efforts are being made to reduce ocean pollution caused by plastic waste
impurity

Impurity refers to substances that are not pure, often being unwanted or drawing away from perfect condition. It is used in contexts like chemical compounds, metals, or even abstractly for concepts.

  • Gold is often mixed with impurities such as copper
  • The philosopher spoke of moral impurities clouding human judgment
tainting

Tainting is used to describe the act of contaminating or corrupting something, often giving it a negative connotation. It is used in both literal and figurative contexts.

  • Rumors of corruption tainted the politician's reputation
  • The meat was tainted, making it unsafe for consumption

Examples of usage

  • The contamination of the river by toxic chemicals has had a devastating impact on the local wildlife.
  • The contamination of the soil with heavy metals poses a serious threat to human health.
Context #2 | Noun

medical

The presence of an infectious agent on a body surface, in a wound, or in food or drink.

Synonyms

contagion, infection, transmission.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
contamination

Used to describe something that becomes dirty, impure, or harmful due to contact with a contaminant, often in environmental or food safety contexts.

  • The factory was closed due to water contamination
  • Be careful with this dish to avoid contamination
contagion

Primarily used in medical or epidemiological contexts to describe the spread of disease from one person to another, often carrying a sense of panic or fear.

  • The contagion spread quickly through the hospital
  • People are worried about the potential contagion

Examples of usage

  • Proper sanitation is crucial to prevent the contamination of surgical instruments.
  • The contamination of the food supply led to a widespread outbreak of foodborne illness.
Context #3 | Noun

scientific

The introduction of unwanted organisms or substances into an environment.

Synonyms

adulteration, impurity, tainting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
contamination

When referring to the presence of harmful or unwanted substances in a place or thing. This term is commonly used in environmental, health, and safety contexts.

  • The contamination of the river has made it unsafe for swimming.
  • Food contamination can lead to serious health issues.
impurity

Refers to unwanted substances present in a material. It is commonly used in scientific, industrial, and quality control contexts.

  • The disposal process removes impurities from the metal.
  • Pharmaceutical companies aim to produce drugs with minimal impurities.
adulteration

Used when discussing the act of adding inferior substances to a product, often for economic gain. It has a negative connotation, especially in relation to food and medicine.

  • The adulteration of olive oil with cheaper oils is illegal.
  • Adulteration of drugs can have dangerous consequences for patients.
tainting

Implies that something has been spoiled or ruined, often emotionally or morally. It can be used both literally and metaphorically.

  • The scandal led to the tainting of his reputation.
  • The addition of chlorine to the water has resulted in its tainting.

Examples of usage

  • The contamination of the experiment sample invalidates the results.
  • The contamination of the DNA sample compromised the genetic analysis.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Health

  • Many foodborne illnesses are caused by contamination, highlighting the importance of hygiene in food preparation.
  • Water contamination is a significant health risk; unsafe drinking water can lead to widespread disease.
  • Contaminated air from pollutants can lead to respiratory problems and other serious health issues.

Environmental Science

  • Soil contamination can occur due to poorly managed agricultural practices, affecting food safety and ecosystems.
  • Plastic waste is a significant environmental contaminant, leading to pollution in oceans and harmful effects on wildlife.
  • Bioremediation is a technique that uses microorganisms to clean up contaminated environments, showing nature's ability to counteract pollution.

Psychology

  • The concept of contamination can extend to mental health, where negative experiences or thoughts may taint one's perception of the world.
  • The 'contamination effect' in psychology occurs when an initially neutral object takes on negative attributes through association.
  • Research shows that people's judgments can be influenced by contamination; for example, viewing someone as 'bad' based on their association with negative elements.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often depict contamination as a source of suspense or horror, particularly in stories about viruses or toxic substances.
  • TV shows about crime regularly focus on contamination in forensic science, where evidence must be kept uncontaminated to ensure justice.
  • Video games may feature contamination as a plot element, such as survival games where players must avoid infected areas.

Origin of 'contamination'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'contamination' comes from the Latin word 'contaminare', which means 'to mingle together' or 'to make impure'.
  • It started being used in English around the early 15th century, originally referring to infections or diseases.
  • Over time, it expanded to cover everything from food safety to environmental issues.

The word 'contamination' originated from the Latin word 'contaminare', which means 'to make impure'. The concept of contamination has been present throughout history, with civilizations implementing measures to prevent the spread of disease and maintain purity. In modern times, the term is widely used in environmental, medical, and scientific contexts to describe the presence of harmful substances or organisms in a specific area.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,721 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.