decontaminate Definition
- 1to remove or neutralize harmful substances, such as radioactive or infectious materials, from a place, object, or person
- 2to make something clean and free from harmful substances
Using decontaminate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "decontaminate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The team worked to decontaminate the area after the chemical spill.
Example
The hospital staff had to decontaminate themselves before leaving the quarantine area.
Example
The water supply was decontaminated after the sewage leak.
decontaminate Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with decontaminate
a shower used to wash off hazardous materials from a person's body
Example
The workers had to go through a decontamination shower before leaving the site.
a series of steps taken to remove or neutralize harmful substances from a place, object, or person
Example
The decontamination process took several hours to complete.
a facility or equipment used for decontamination procedures
Example
The hospital has a decontamination unit for infectious disease patients.
Origins of decontaminate
from de- meaning 'remove' + Latin 'contaminare' meaning 'to defile'
Summary: decontaminate in Brief
The verb 'decontaminate' [dee-kuhn-tam-uh-neyt] means to remove or neutralize harmful substances from a place, object, or person. It is often used in the context of hazardous materials, infectious diseases, and pollution. Examples include 'The team worked to decontaminate the area after the chemical spill.' and 'The water supply was decontaminated after the sewage leak.' 'Decontaminate' has synonyms like 'sanitize' and 'sterilize,' and extends into phrases like 'decontamination shower' and 'decontamination process.'
