contaminated

• Décrit quelque chose qui est devenu impur, souillé ou nocif par contact avec une substance toxique ou polluante.

Describes something that has been made impure, unclean, or harmful by contact with a poisonous or polluting substance.

1. Polluted or infectedB2formalmedical

   Made impure or harmful by contact with a poisonous or infectious substance.

   Contaminé (pollué ou infecté)

   • The contaminated water caused a cholera outbreak.
   • Do not eat food that has been contaminated by bacteria.
   • The lab tested the soil and found it contaminated with lead.

   Synonymesadulteratedcorrupteddefiledfouledimpureinfectedpollutedtainted

   Antonymescleanpuresanitarysterileuncontaminated

2. Radioactive contaminationC1formalscientific

   Exposed to or containing radioactive material.

   contaminé (par radioactivité)

   • The area near the reactor remains contaminated with radiation.
   • Workers wore protective suits to avoid contaminated particles.
   • Decontamination of the site will take decades.

   Synonymeshotpollutedradioactivetainted

3. Impure in a technical processB2formaltechnical

   Containing unwanted substances that affect purity or function.

   contaminé (impureté technique)

   • The contaminated fuel damaged the engine.
   • The sample was contaminated with dust during collection.
   • Contaminated air filters must be replaced regularly.

   Synonymesadulteratedfouledimpureinfectedpollutedtainted

   Antonymescleanpuresterileuncontaminated

• 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