contaminating

• Qualifie ce qui rend une substance ou un milieu impur, nocif ou pollué par contact ou ajout, ou ce qui propage une influence néfaste.

Describes something that makes a substance or environment impure, harmful, or polluted by contact or addition.

1. Spreading pollutionC1formalscientific

   Causing pollution or contamination, especially with radioactive or toxic substances.

   Qui contamine (en répandant une pollution)

   • The contaminating waste from the factory leaked into the river.
   • Contaminating particles were detected in the air after the accident.
   • The cleanup crew worked to remove the contaminating materials from the site.

   Synonymespoisoning

2. Infecting or taintingC1formalmedical

   That infects or taints something, making it impure or harmful.

   Qui infecte ou contamine

   • The contaminating bacteria spread quickly through the water supply.
   • Contaminating agents in the food caused a widespread illness.
   • The lab tested the samples for any contaminating substances.

   Synonymespoisoning

• 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