contaminant
/kənˈtæmɪnənt/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈtæmɪnənt/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈta-mə-nənt/ (ame, mw)
contaminant — noun
- contaminantsingular
- contaminantsplural
1. a substance that gets into food, water, or another material and makes it dirty,
a substance that gets into food, water, or another material and makes it dirty, unsafe, or no longer pure.
The lab found a contaminant in the cough syrup after several children got sick.
find a contaminant in [product]
Tiny metal flakes became a contaminant in the flour during packaging.
After the pipe burst, the village well was closed because of a contaminant.
Inspectors traced the contaminant to a dirty hose in the mixing tank.
Omar threw away the cheese when he saw a black contaminant on it.
- pollutant
usually narrower and more strongly linked to harm in air, water, or soil
- impurity
often more technical and can describe an unwanted substance even when it is not dangerous
- toxin
stresses poisonous effect, especially in biology or medicine
- residue
emphasizes material left behind after a process and does not always imply danger
文法句型
find a contaminant in [food/water/sample]
remove contaminants from [something]
用法筆記
Often used in food safety, laboratory, and environmental contexts. It names the unwanted material itself, not the process or condition of contamination.