B2verbenvironmenthealth
US/kənˈtæm.ə.neɪt/
UK/kənˈtæm.ɪ.neɪt/
to make something dirty, harmful or poisonous by adding a dangerous substance
In context
Chemicals from the factory contaminated the river and killed thousands of fish.
Wash your hands well so you don't contaminate the food you are preparing.
Tests showed that the well water in the village was contaminated with arsenic.
Words that go with contaminate
adjective + noun
- contaminated waterMillions of people still drink contaminated water every day.
- contaminated soilWorkers removed tons of contaminated soil from the old factory site.
adjective + preposition
- contaminated withThe soil near the old airbase is contaminated with chemicals.
adverb + adjective
- heavily contaminatedThe site is so heavily contaminated that nobody can live there.
verb + noun
- contaminate the water supplyA broken sewage pipe contaminated the town's water supply.
- contaminate foodBacteria from raw meat can easily contaminate other food.