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Decontaminate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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decontaminate

[diหkษ™nหˆtรฆmษชneษชt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

cleaning

To remove or neutralize harmful substances from an object or area, especially chemicals or radioactive material. Decontamination is crucial in preventing the spread of contamination.

Synonyms

cleanse, purify, sanitize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
decontaminate

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.
cleanse

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.
purify

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.
sanitize

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.

Examples of usage

  • Firefighters decontaminate their equipment after responding to a hazardous materials spill.
  • The hospital staff followed strict protocols to decontaminate the area affected by the chemical leak.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Decontamination is crucial in hospitals to prevent infections and protect patients.
  • In environmental science, it refers to cleaning up hazardous materials that can harm ecosystems.

Public Health

  • During pandemics, decontamination procedures are essential to ensure spaces are safe for people.
  • Techniques include washing, disinfecting, and sterilizing, each ensuring different levels of cleanliness.

Literature

  • In dystopian novels, decontamination often symbolizes the struggle between purity and societal decay.
  • Books about biohazards frequently explore the lengths societies will go to decontaminate their environments.

Technology

  • Innovative technologies like UV light and ozone are increasingly used for decontamination in various settings.
  • Smart devices now include self-cleaning features to enhance safety and hygiene.

Origin of 'decontaminate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin roots 'de-' meaning 'remove' and 'contaminare' meaning 'to make impure'.
  • The term has been in use since the early 20th century, especially in fields like medicine and environmental science.

The word 'decontaminate' originated from the Latin word 'de-' (meaning 'remove') and 'contaminare' (meaning 'to make impure'). It first appeared in the English language in the early 20th century, during the rise of industrialization and the need to address hazardous materials. The process of decontamination has since become a critical aspect of environmental protection and public health safety measures.

See also: contaminate, contaminated, decontaminating.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,856, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.