decontaminate (C1)

verb

Pronunciation: /ˌdiːkənˈtæmɪneɪt/

Definition

Remove dangerous or harmful substances from an object, area, or person.

Examples

• The hospital staff had to decontaminate the room immediately after the patient was moved.

• Workers were required to decontaminate their boots before leaving the hazardous waste site.

• It is essential to decontaminate medical instruments thoroughly to prevent the spread of infection.

How to Use decontaminate

decontaminate something (collocation)

To clean a specific object or area. — "You must decontaminate the equipment before storing it."

decontaminate from [substance] (prepositional phrase)

To remove a specific type of harmful substance. — "The facility was decontaminated from radioactive dust."

Synonyms of decontaminate

Words with a similar meaning to decontaminate:

• clean
• sanitize
• sterilize
• purify

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