contaminate
/kən-ˈta-mə-ˌnāt/
verb
to soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or association
to make inferior or impure by admixture
to make unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements
Bacteria contaminated the wound.
iron contaminated with phosphorus
contaminate taint pollute defile mean to make impure or unclean. contaminate implies intrusion of or contact with dirt or foulness from an outside source. taint stresses the loss of purity or cleanliness that follows contamination.
noun
inadvertent transfer of bacteria or other contaminants from one surface, substance, etc., to another especially because of unsanitary handling procedures
With raw eggs, as with raw chickens, it is important to avoid cross contamination. Use separate utensils—bowls, forks, knives, counter tops, and cutting boards—for raw chickens or eggs, and clean them thoroughly before reusing them for cooked foods.