contaminate
Pronunciation
  • IPA: /kənˈtæmɪneɪt/
Verb

contaminate (contaminates, present participle contaminating; past and past participle contaminated)

  1. (transitive) To make something dangerous or toxic by introducing impurities or foreign matter.
    This water is contaminated. It isn't safe to drink.
  2. (transitive) To soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or association.
    • 1599, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Ivlivs Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act IV, scene iii]:
      Shall we now / Contaminate our figures with base bribes?
    • I would neither have simplicity imposed upon, nor virtue contaminated.
  3. (transitive) To make unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements.
    Do not contaminate the peanut butter with the jelly.
  4. To infect, often with bad objects
Related terms Translations


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