Definition of contaminate in English: contaminate
verb [ with object] Make (something) impure by exposure to or addition of a poisonous or polluting substance.
‘the site was found to be contaminated by radioactivity’
figurative ‘celebrity has contaminated every aspect of public life’
More example sentences
‘Air pollution can hurt animals and humans when they inhale contaminated air.’ ‘They want to make sure that nothing contaminates the evidence.’ ‘I think there's paranoia in the national press and that contaminates the foreign press.’ ‘If not properly disposed of, these substances can contaminate ground water.’ ‘He notes that although it was just water, there were dead fish and poison oak contaminating the water all over the course.’ ‘Many types of viral and bacterial pathogens that grow in the gut of infected people may contaminate water and food.’ ‘Chemicals in everyday products such as good packaging and cosmetics contaminate our air, water and soil.’ ‘Groundwater will be polluted, which would contaminate drinking water.’ ‘The amount of mercury found in fish may be 3,000 times the original concentration in the contaminated water.’ ‘But this should not be carried out on-farm because it can further contaminate the ground and infect other cattle.’ ‘It can crash through the armour of a modern tank and it poisons land and contaminates water supplies for years causing cancers and genetic defects.’ ‘The poison could be used to contaminate food or water, which would achieve the aim of spreading panic, or left on door handles in busy buildings.’ ‘The test results showed that raw sewage is contaminating the bathing areas.’ ‘Sources of contaminated soils include manufacturers, businesses, retail establishments, government and individuals.’ ‘I think most people are tired of this way of contaminating the political agenda.’ ‘If mercury is found in local soil, it can contaminate the fish supply.’ ‘Apparently parents emit poisonous substances which contaminate their kids in much the same way that humans pollute the environment.’ ‘They must be dismantled on an impermeable surface to avoid contaminating the ground.’ ‘It was approved only for animal feed but was found to be contaminating several corn products sold to consumers.’ ‘They added somebody stealing food can be jailed while those who poison people by contaminating food can get away scot free.’ Origin Late Middle English: from Latin contaminat- ‘made impure’, from the verb contaminare, from contamen ‘contact, pollution’, from con- ‘together with’ + the base of tangere ‘to touch’.
Pronunciation contaminate /kənˈtamɪneɪt/