Advertisement
Advertisement
cross-contamination
or cross con·tam·i·na·tion
[ kraws-kuhn-tam-uh-ney-shuhn, kros ]
noun
- the unwanted transfer of something bad or harmful from one person or thing to another, especially pathogens or allergens:
Even if an item has no dairy in it, there may be cross-contamination from other products made with the same equipment.
Each of you should use your own towel to avoid cross-contamination.
- the unwanted mixing of minute amounts of one substance into another, as with laboratory specimens:
Your poor laboratory practices leave too much opportunity for cross-contamination of samples.
- the mixing of ideas, information, etc., in such a way as to compromise their integrity or reliability:
I never read books in the genre I'm writing in—I worry about a subconscious cross-contamination of ideas.
Cross-contamination of testimony is a key issue when interviewing children as witnesses.
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of cross-contamination1
First recorded in 1895–1900
Discover More
Example Sentences
This is a great way to avoid cross contamination of foods and is a major plus for the plastic boards.
From The Daily Beast
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse