contamination
noun
con·tam·i·na·tion
kən-ˌta-mə-ˈnā-shən 
1
: a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated
2
Examples of contamination in a Sentence
swimming in the lake is banned until the contamination is identified and neutralized
Recent Examples on the Web
Park Street Deli Pork Carnitas Aldi, in coordination with Cargill Meat Solutions Corp, halted sales of Park Street Deli Pork Carnitas (16 oz trays) on April 21 due to possible metal contamination.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
Human evacuation from war zones can open urban habitats to wildlife, while the destruction of green spaces or contamination of soil and water can fragment ecosystems and reduce genetic diversity.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
While recognizing that bees in general are under threat of habitat loss, the effects of climate change and environmental contamination, the researchers pointed to this extreme level of honeybee pollen exploitation as another potential danger.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 7 July 2025
The company would also deal with the problem of sealing the sample return capsule and making sure that it is decontaminated in accordance with NASA and international safety protocols against interplanetary contamination.
—New Atlas, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contamination
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
Human evacuation from war zones can open urban habitats to wildlife, while the destruction of green spaces or contamination of soil and water can fragment ecosystems and reduce genetic diversity.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
While recognizing that bees in general are under threat of habitat loss, the effects of climate change and environmental contamination, the researchers pointed to this extreme level of honeybee pollen exploitation as another potential danger.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 7 July 2025
The company would also deal with the problem of sealing the sample return capsule and making sure that it is decontaminated in accordance with NASA and international safety protocols against interplanetary contamination.
—New Atlas, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for contamination
Cite this Entry
“Contamination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contamination. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
contamination
noun
con·tam·i·na·tion
kən-ˌtam-ə-ˈnā-shən
1
: a process of contaminating : a state of being contaminated
2
: something that contaminates
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