contaminate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The European Medicines Agency has previously warned that these substances could contaminate ecosystems, although detailed information about how much of the drugs enter the environment remains limited.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2026

"We didn't want to bring the water into the practice and then contaminate the pipes or anything like that or our equipment."

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

Informal recycling is rife with hazards -- open burning, acid baths and unprotected dismantling expose workers to toxic fumes and contaminate soil and water.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

The aviation industry doesn’t dispute that oil and other aircraft fluids can contaminate the air on a flight, but says that the levels of chemicals released haven’t been shown to pose risk of serious illness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

Even at that point, in 1957, the Food and Drug Administration could not instantly rescind the tolerance which allowed residues of a known carcinogen to contaminate food consumed by the public.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson