cross-contamination

American  

[kraws-kuhn-tam-uh-ney-shuhn, kros] / ˈkrɔs kənˌtæm əˈneɪ ʃən, ˈkrɒs /

Or cross contamination

noun

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of cross-contamination

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Some of the chicken was bought as halal, but poor hygiene and cross-contamination in the warehouse meant none of it could be truly classified as such.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2025

Lee also alleged that several restaurants, which he left unnamed, followed unsanitary practices and risked cross-contamination with shellfish, to which Lee said he’s allergic.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2024

From the field to the consumer, contamination can be minimized by using these kinds of surfaces and avoiding cross-contamination, as explained by Cisneros-Zevallos.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2024

There wasn’t any cross-contamination, but it cost the the Great Grill a point.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2023

You want to avoid the cross-contamination that can come from contact with the uncooked chicken.

From The Perdue Chicken Cookbook by Perdue, Mitzi