- (transitive) to render (an area, building, object, etc) harmless by the removal, distribution, or neutralization of poisons, radioactivity, etc
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
de•con•tam•i•nate /ˌdikənˈtæməˌneɪt/USA pronunciation
v. [ ~ + obj], -nat•ed, -nat•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to make (something) safe by removing dangerous substances:to decontaminate the nuclear power plant where the leak took place.
de•con•tam•i•nate
(dē′kən tam′ə nāt′),USA pronunciation v.t., -nated, -nat•ing.
de′con•tam′i•na′tion, n.
de′con•tam′i•na′tive, adj.
de′con•tam′i•na′tor, n.
- to make (an object or area) safe for unprotected personnel by removing, neutralizing, or destroying any harmful substance, as radioactive material or poisonous gas.
- to make free of contamination;
purify:to decontaminate a sickroom.
- de- + contaminate 1935–40
de′con•tam′i•na′tive, adj.
de′con•tam′i•na′tor, n.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
decontaminate /ˌdiːkənˈtæmɪˌneɪt/ vb