contaminate
verbUK /kənˈtæmɪneɪt/
US /kənˈtæməneɪt/
To make something dirty or unsafe by adding something bad to it.
The factory leaked chemicals that contaminated the river.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. To make something impure by mixing in a harmful substance.
Bacteria can contaminate food if it is left out too long.
3. To spoil or corrupt something such as a reputation or a process.
False rumors contaminated the friendly atmosphere of the team.
4. To introduce a foreign substance into a pure sample or material.
The lab worker accidentally contaminated the experiment with dust.