contamination

Contamination is the unwanted pollution of something by another substance. When a nuclear power plant leaks radiation into the atmosphere, for example, it causes a contamination of the surrounding area.

Contamination can also be used to refer to abstract ideas and concepts rather than to just physical things. The French complain that the increasing adoption of English words is a contamination of their linguistic heritage, and many parents today think rap music is a contamination of the public culture.

Definitions of contamination
  1. noun
    the state of being contaminated
    synonyms: taint
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    types:
    dust contamination
    state of being contaminated with dust
    type of:
    impureness, impurity
    the condition of being impure
  2. noun
    the act of contaminating or polluting; including (either intentionally or accidentally) unwanted substances or factors
    synonyms: pollution
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    Antonyms:
    decontamination
    the removal of contaminants
    types:
    dust contamination
    the act of contaminating with dust particles
    type of:
    dirtying, soiling, soilure
    the act of soiling something
  3. noun
    a substance that contaminates
    synonyms: contaminant
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    type of:
    material, stuff
    the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
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