5 syllables: con, tam, i, na, tion. Stress on na.
kuhn-tam-uh-NAY-shuhn
/kəˌntæməˈneɪʃən/
contamination is pronounced kuhn-tam-uh-NAY-shuhn (/kəˌntæməˈneɪʃən/). It has five syllables (con-tam-i-na-tion), with the stress on "na". Contamination refers to the presence of an unwanted substance or impurity in something that is otherwise pure. It implies a breach of cleanliness or safety, often with potential health or quality implications. The term is commonly used in science, healthcare, environmental contexts, and food production to describe contamination events or risks.
Contamination refers to the presence of an unwanted substance or impurity in something that is otherwise pure. It implies a breach of cleanliness or safety, often with potential health or quality implications. The term is commonly used in science, healthcare, environmental contexts, and food production to describe contamination events or risks.
"The laboratory protocol specifies steps to prevent contamination of samples."
"Industrial hygiene reports documented contamination leaks from the facility into the surrounding area."
"The bottled water was tested for contamination after a suspected pipe break."
Pronounce as /ˌkɒnˌtæmɪˈneɪʃn/ in US and /ˌkɒn.tæ.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ in UK; AU follows /ˌkɒn.tæ.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən/. The primary stress lands on the fourth syllable: con-tam-i-NA-tion; there’s secondary emphasis on the third syllable depending on speed. Start with con- (kən) then tam (tam) then i (ə) then NAY (neɪ) then shən (ʃən). Keep the final schwa light and the last syllable crisp.
Common mistakes: (1) Misplacing stress by over-emphasizing the second syllable; (2) Slurring the -tion ending to -sion or -shun; (3) Dropping the unstressed syllables in fast speech. Correction: practice the exact beat: con-TAM-i-NA-tion, with a clear /ˈneɪ/ in the fourth syllable, and a light, quick final /ən/. Break into chunks: con- tam- i- NA- tion, then blend while preserving the vowel quality of each segment.
US tends to an /ˌkɒnˌtæ.mɪˈneɪ.ʃn̩/, with a darker ‘o’ and a looser last consonant cluster. UK uses /ˌkɒn.tæ.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən/, with a slightly crisper final /ən/. Australian often mirrors UK but with a more vowel-reduced final syllable and a subtly flatter /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Across all, the main shift is in the final -tion: US often features a syllabic n in rapid speech; UK and AU maintain a light /ən/.
The difficulty lies in balancing five syllables and the sequence -mɪ-NEI-ʃən, with secondary stress and a light final schwa. The tricky part is the /neɪ/ vowel and the /ʃən/ cluster after it, which can be reduced in fast speech. Practicing the exact placement of primary stress on -NA- and maintaining a clear /t/ followed by a soft /m/ helps clarity. Visualize it as three beats: con-TAM-i-NA-tion with a crisp, audible -tion.
A unique question is: 'Should I pronounce the “ti” as a soft “sh” in -tion?' The answer is no—the -tion suffix is pronounced as /ʃən/ in most varieties, so the sequence is /neɪ.ʃən/; the ‘ti’ does not form a separate /t/ + /i/ in standard pronunciation. Keep the /t/ soft, with the /ʃ/ blending into the final schwa for a smooth ending.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "contamination"!
- US: /ˌkɒnˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən/ with a rhotic or non-rhotic preference depending on speaker; ensure /ˈneɪ/ is clear and the /ʃən/ is soft. - UK: /ˌkɒn.tæ.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ crisper, final schwa more pronounced prior to -n; maintain non-rhotic quality until vowel. - AU: /ˌkɒn.tæ.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ similar to UK but with slightly flatter vowels and less intrusive linking; emphasize the /æ/ in TAM to maintain rhythm. IPA references: US /ˌkɒnˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən/, UK /ˌkɒn.tæ.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən/, AU /ˌkɒn.tæ.mɪˈneɪ.ʃən/; focus on non-rhoticity and vowel quality differences.
Contamination comes from the Latin contaminatio, from contaminare meaning to stain, defile, or pollute. Contaminare is formed from con- (together, with) + teat- or tempero (to touch, to mix) in the sense of mixing or befouling. The suffix -ation marks a noun of action or resulting state. Early English usage around the 19th century adopted contamination in both physical and moral senses (defilement). Over time, the word broadened to describe the presence of an unwanted foreign substance in food, water, medicine, or environments, reflecting scientific and public health developments. The concept gained prominence with modern industrialization, environmental monitoring, and quality control, where preventing contamination is critical to safety and standardization. The term is now ubiquitous across science, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and regulation, often paired with qualifiers like chemical, biological, radioactive, or cross- contamination to specify the impurity type and channel of introduction.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "contamination" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "contamination" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "contamination" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "contamination"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
