decontaminate

[ dee-kuhn-tam-uh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·con·tam·i·nated, de·con·tam·i·nat·ing.

1. to make (an object or area) safe for unprotected personnel by removing, neutralizing, or destroying any harmful substance, as radioactive material or poisonous gas.
2. to make free of contamination; purify:

   to decontaminate a sickroom.

decontaminate

/ ˌdiːkənˈtæmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. tr to render (an area, building, object, etc) harmless by the removal, distribution, or neutralization of poisons, radioactivity, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌdeconˈtamiˌnator, noun
• ˌdeconˈtaminative, adjective
• ˌdeconˈtaminant, noun
• ˌdeconˌtamiˈnation, noun

Other Words From

• decon·tami·nation noun
• decon·tami·native adjective
• decon·tami·nator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decontaminate¹

First recorded in 1935–40; de- + contaminate

Example Sentences

"You don't want to know what's in there. It's full of human waste and other garbage. We decontaminate immediately after each dive."

From BBC

The MIT team found that this process could effectively decontaminate water with low concentrations of lead.

From Science Daily

One team of researchers is focusing on carbon- and sulfur-based quantum dots, using them to create safer invisible inks and to help decontaminate water supplies.

From Science Daily

"Your skin cells are pretty good at tolerating soaps and detergents but other cells in your body, and especially red blood cells, are very sensitive," he said, which is why these compounds are used only externally or to decontaminate surfaces and not as therapeutic agents.

From Science Daily

This device, the researchers say, offers significant advantages in cost, simplicity, effectiveness and sustainability compared existing commercial options, giving users the ability to easily decontaminate water from nearby streams and rivers and make it drinkable.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• cleanse
• disinfect
• fumigate
• sanitize
• sterilize