Decontaminate: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to the removal of hazardous substances, such as chemicals or radiation, often in an industrial, medical, or hazardous material context.

• Special units were called to decontaminate the lab after the chemical spill.
• The crew needed protective suits to decontaminate the affected area.

Used in a more general sense to describe making something free from impurities or dirt. Often used in beauty, personal hygiene, and cleansing rituals.

• She uses this facial wash to cleanse her skin every night.
• He went on a cleanse to purify his body from toxins.

Focused on removing unwanted elements from a substance, often used in religious, environmental, or scientific contexts.

• They installed a system to purify the drinking water.
• The monks practice rituals to purify their spirits.

Refers to reducing the number of harmful germs or bacteria to a safe level, commonly used in health care, food preparation, and cleaning products.

• It's important to sanitize kitchen surfaces to prevent food poisoning.
• Hand sanitizers are essential in hospitals to prevent the spread of infections.