contaminate

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de salir, d'infecter ou d'altérer quelque chose par contact avec une substance ou un agent nocif.

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

1. Make impure or harmfulB2formalscientific

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

   Contaminer

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

   Synonymesbefouldefiledirtyfoulpoisonpollutesoilsullytainttarnish

   Antonymescleandecontaminatepurifysterilize

2. Expose to radioactivityC1formaltechnical

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

   Contaminer (par radioactivité)

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

   Synonymesactivateirradiate

   Antonymescleancleansedecontaminatepurify

3. Infect with diseaseB2formalmedical

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

   Contaminer (par une maladie)

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

   Synonymesblightinfectpoisonpollutetaint