contaminate

verb [T]

/kənˈtæm.ɪ.neɪt/

Definition

› to make something less pure or make it poisonous: Much of the coast has been contaminated by nuclear waste. The food which had been contaminated was destroyed.Making things dirty and untidy contaminated

/-neɪ.tɪd/

/-neɪ.t̬ɪd/ adjective › The infection was probably caused by swimming in contaminated water/water contaminated with sewage.Dirty and untidy contamination

/kənˌtæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ noun [U] › The water supply is being tested for contamination (= the presence of unwanted or dangerous substances).Dirt and untidiness

(Definition of contaminate verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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