contaminate Definition
- 1to make something dirty, polluted, or poisonous by adding a harmful substance to it
- 2to make a place or substance no longer suitable for use or living
Using contaminate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "contaminate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The water supply was contaminated by chemicals from the factory.
Example
The food was contaminated with bacteria.
Example
The air in the city is heavily contaminated with pollution.
contaminate Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with contaminate
to interfere with evidence in a criminal investigation
Example
The suspect was accused of contaminating the evidence at the crime scene.
to pollute or damage the natural surroundings
Example
The oil spill contaminated the environment and killed many marine animals.
to introduce negative or harmful elements into a society or group
Example
The influx of foreign media has contaminated the culture and traditions of the country.
Origins of contaminate
from Latin 'contaminare', meaning 'to defile'
Summary: contaminate in Brief
To 'contaminate' [kənˈtæmɪneɪt] means to make something dirty, polluted, or poisonous by adding harmful substances, or to make a place or substance unsuitable for use or living. Examples include contaminated water, food, and air. The phrase 'contaminate the evidence' refers to interfering with evidence in a criminal investigation, while 'contaminate the environment' means polluting or damaging the natural surroundings. 'Contaminate the culture' refers to introducing negative or harmful elements into a society or group.
