Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows
or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps
Noun: contamination  kun,ta-mi'ney-shun
  1. The act of contaminating or polluting; including (either intentionally or accidentally) unwanted substances or factors
    "The contamination of the water supply posed a serious health risk to the community";
    - pollution
     
  2. The state of being contaminated
    "The food was discarded due to possible contamination from the chemical spill";
    - taint
     
  3. A substance that contaminates
    "They found chemical contamination in the groundwater";
    - contaminant

Derived forms: contaminations

Type of: dirtying, impureness, impurity, material, soiling, soilure [archaic], stuff

Antonym: decontamination

Encyclopedia: Contamination