contaminant

[ kuhn-tam-uh-nuhnt ]

noun

1. something that contaminates.

Word History and Origins

Origin of contaminant¹

1920–25; < Latin contāminant- (stem of contāmināns ), present participle of contāmināre. See contaminate, -ant

Example Sentences

Not long after its Proposition 65 designation, the California Air Resources Board classified diesel exhaust as a toxic air contaminant, enabling the agency to regulate it.

From Los Angeles Times

Scientists believe that it evolved to protect human beings from invisible contaminants such as pathogens and parasites.

From Salon

A Harris administration would likely carry forward the work of several Biden EPA measures to safeguard the public’s drinking water from toxic heavy metals and other contaminants.

From Salon

For its federally mandated report, DWP reviewed historical records and inspected nearly 42,000 service lines citywide, discovering no lead pipelines or galvanized lines that can harbor contaminants.

From Los Angeles Times

However, their effectiveness depends on the quality of the water and the contaminants present.

From Salon

Related Words

• contamination
• impurity
• poison
• pollutant
• toxin