Definition

To remove harmful substances or contaminants from something to make it safe.

Example

The team worked hard to decontaminate the area after the chemical spill.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Have you heard about the new procedure to decontaminate our work area?

Yeah, I read that it’s really effective for keeping things safe.

Exactly! We should probably schedule it soon to make sure everything is clean.

Good idea! It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Decontaminate → It is formed from "de-" (meaning down or away) and "contaminare" (from Latin, meaning to make impure or to pollute). The word means to remove impurities or pollutants, effectively taking them away.

Memory Tip

Think of 'removing' ('de-') something that 'pollutes' ('contaminare') — that's why decontaminate means to clean something of contaminants.

Visually Confused Words