CONTAMINATED

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does contaminated mean? 

• CONTAMINATED (adjective)
  The adjective CONTAMINATED has 2 senses:

1. corrupted by contact or association

2. rendered unwholesome by contaminants and pollution

  Familiarity information: CONTAMINATED used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONTAMINATED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Corrupted by contact or association

Context example:

contaminated evidence

Similar:

mercury-contaminated (contaminated by mercury)

Antonym:

uncontaminated (not corrupted by contact or association)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Rendered unwholesome by contaminants and pollution

Synonyms:

contaminated; polluted

Context example:

polluted lakes and streams

Similar:

impure (combined with extraneous elements)

 Context examples 

It is usually spread through food that has been handled by an infected person, or through drinking water that is contaminated with human waste.

(hepatitis E virus, NCI Dictionary)

It grows in soil and material contaminated with bat or bird droppings.

(Histoplasmosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Humans are infected by contact with water and soil which have been contaminated with animal waste products.

(Leptospirosis, NCI Thesaurus)

Infection occurs upon ingestion of contaminated water and food.

(Amoebiasis Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/KEGG)

H. pylori infection is usually acquired from contaminated food and water and through person to person spread.

(Helicobacter pylori, NCI Thesaurus)

You can also get it from coming in contact with contaminated packages of poultry.

(Campylobacter Infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Fruits and vegetables may become contaminated when they are growing or when they are processed.

(Foodborne Illness, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

It spreads through contaminated food or water, and contact with an infected person.

(Gastroenteritis, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

You should not drink water that may be contaminated.

(Giardia Infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

The results provide key information about the stability of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 disease, and suggests that people may acquire the virus through the air and after touching contaminated objects.

(New coronavirus stable for hours on surface, National Institutes of Health)