to contaminate
verb/kõtɐmiˈnaɾ/medium
con·ta·mi·nar
Definitions
1To make impure or harmful by introducing undesirable substances or agents, such as pollutants, microbes, or toxins.
The oil spill contaminated the beach.
The well water was contaminated by bacteria.
Common collocations
contaminate watercontaminate soilcontaminate food
2To transmit a disease or pathogen.
The virus could contaminate the entire population if care is not taken.
He contaminated his colleagues with the flu.
Common collocations
contaminate someonecontaminate a populationrisk of contaminating
3To corrupt morally or culturally; to exert a negative influence.
Bad management contaminated the entire institution.
They tried to contaminate public opinion with fake news.
Common collocations
contaminate the environmentcontaminate the mind
Etymology
Do latim 'contaminare' (manchar, profanar).