contaminate

A verb used to indicate the act of making something impure, polluted, or harmful by contact with a substance or agent.

ruГлагол, используемый для обозначения действия по загрязнению, заражению или порче чего-либо при контакте с веществом или агентом.esVerbo que se usa para indicar la acción de ensuciar, infectar o estropear algo por contacto con una sustancia o agente nocivo.frVerbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de salir, d'infecter ou d'altérer quelque chose par contact avec une substance ou un agent nocif.deVerb, das die Handlung bezeichnet, etwas durch Kontakt mit einem Stoff oder Agens zu verschmutzen, zu infizieren oder zu verderben.ptVerbo usado para indicar a ação de tornar algo impuro, sujo ou infeccioso por contato com uma substância ou agente nocivo, como poluentes, microrganismos ou produtos químicos.zh动词，表示因接触某种物质或因素而使某物被污染、感染或败坏。arفعل يُستعمل للدلالة على إفساد الشيء أو تلويثه أو إصابته بضرر أو عدوى نتيجة ملامسته لمادة أو عامل ضار.

1. Make impure or harmful B2 formal scientific

   To make something dirty, polluted, or poisonous by adding a harmful substance.

   • The factory waste contaminated the nearby river.
   • Bacteria can contaminate food if it is not stored properly.
   • The water supply was contaminated with lead.

   ruЗагрязнятьesContaminarfrContaminerdeVerunreinigenptContaminarzh污染arتلويث

   Synonyme: befouldefiledirtyfoulpoisonpollutesoilsullytainttarnish

   Antonyme: cleandecontaminatepurifysterilize

2. Expose to radioactivity C1 formal technical

   To make a substance or area radioactive by exposure to radioactive material.

   • The accident contaminated the entire laboratory with radiation.
   • Workers had to decontaminate the area after the spill.
   • The soil was contaminated by nuclear waste.

   ruПодвергнуть радиоактивному загрязнениюesContaminar radiactivamentefrContaminer (par radioactivité)deRadioaktiv verseuchenptContaminar radioativamentezh使受放射性污染arتلويث إشعاعي

   Synonyme: activateirradiate

   Antonyme: cleancleansedecontaminatepurify

3. Infect with disease B2 formal medical

   To transmit a disease or infection to a person, animal, or environment.

   • The virus can contaminate surfaces and remain active for hours.
   • Contaminated needles can spread serious diseases.
   • The patient was isolated to avoid contaminating others.

   ruЗаражениеescontagiarfrContaminer (par une maladie)deAnsteckungptContaminaçãozh传染arنقل العدوى

   Synonyme: blightinfectpoisonpollutetaint

• contaminated past participle
• contaminated past simple
• contaminating present participle
• contaminates third person singular