What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contamination
Example
The water supply was contaminated with lead. [contamination: noun]
Example
The food was contaminated with bacteria, causing several people to fall ill. [contaminated: past participle]
infection
Example
The wound became infected with bacteria, causing redness and swelling. [infection: noun]
Example
She contracted an infection after coming into contact with someone who had a cold. [infected: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Infection is more commonly used than contamination in everyday language, especially in the context of health and medicine. However, contamination is still an important term in environmental and industrial settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contamination and infection?
Infection is generally considered more formal than contamination, as it is often used in medical and scientific contexts. However, both terms can be used in formal and informal settings depending on the context.
