French word

contamination

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃taminasjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncontamination

Example

La contamination chimique a affecté l'eau du puits.

The chemical contamination affected the well water.

Illustration for contamination (contamination)

More examples

Il faut éviter la contamination croisée en cuisine.

Cross-contamination must be avoided in the kitchen.

Core concept

A clean medium becomes unsafe when an unwanted agent gets into it.

Common phrases

  • test de contamination

    contamination test

  • zone de contamination

    contamination zone

  • contamination croisée

    cross-contamination

Similar words

pollution: A harmful buildup of substances in air or water affecting the environment or health.
saleté: A state of being dirty or unclean because of rubbish, mud, dust, or similar matter.

Definition in French

Présence ou entrée d'un agent nocif dans un milieu, entraînant une altération de sa qualité ou de sa sécurité.

Word origin

The French noun contamination developed from Latin contaminatio through the verb contaminare, meaning to pollute or corrupt.

Usage tips

  • In food and hygiene contexts, contamination often appears in the fixed term contamination croisée, meaning cross-contamination.

Opposites

  • décontaminationdecontaminationnoun

Related words

  • contaminercontaminateverb
  • contaminécontaminatedadjective

Word lists with this word