noun · academic
contamination
UK/kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən/US/kənˌtæməˈneɪʃən/con·ta·mi·NA·tion
the process or state of becoming unclean or unsafe because of harmful substances or germs
Examples
“Officials tested the wells for contamination after the chemical spill.”
“Measures were taken to prevent further contamination of the coastal area.”
“Contamination can make food unsafe to eat if it is exposed to bacteria.”
Band 8 sentence
“Following the chemical leak, independent labs confirmed contamination in multiple sampling sites, prompting an urgent clean-up plan.”
Collocations
- contamination of + [water/land/site]
- prevent contamination
- risk of contamination
Word family
Common mistakes
They find contamination in the wells yesterday.→They found contamination in the wells yesterday.
There is a contamination on the coast.→There is contamination along the coast.
The contamination of sea is serious.→The contamination of the sea is serious.
Say it for a higher band
5dirt→6make dirty→7+contamination
Synonyms
taint
adulteration
Easily confused
depletion
“The report focused on contamination of the wells rather than depletion of the aquifer.”
Related words
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In Nature & Animals
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