1. making something impure or harmful by adding a poisonous or polluting substance
Usage: present participle of contaminate

1. causing contamination; serving to make something impure or harmful

Examples

• The factory was contaminating the river with chemical waste.
• Scientists are studying the contaminating effects of plastic on marine life.
• Contaminating substances must be handled with extreme care.
• The oil spill is contaminating miles of coastline.
• Workers wore protective gear to avoid contaminating the sterile environment.
• The contaminating bacteria spread quickly through the water supply.