adulteration

noun

adul·​ter·​a·​tion ə-ˌdəl-tə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the process of adulterating : the condition of being adulterated

2

: an adulterated product

Examples of adulteration in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lead in cinnamon and other spices can occur through two pathways: unintentional contamination and adulteration. —Hannah Singleton, Health, 20 Sep. 2024

The more concerning issue is adulteration, in which lead is deliberately added to the spice. —Hannah Singleton, Health, 20 Sep. 2024

The agency’s lead hypothesis was that the contamination was the result of economically motivated adulteration of the cinnamon used in the applesauce. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 31 July 2024

Transparency envisions a near future where test kits are recognized as an essential tool for anyone consuming drugs or medications, providing a critical line of defense against adulteration. —Miami Herald, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French adulteracion, borrowed from Latin adulterātiōn-, adulterātiō, from adulterāre "to adulterate entry 1" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

adulteration

noun

adul·​ter·​a·​tion ə-ˌdəl-tə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the process of adulterating : the condition of being adulterated

2

: an adulterated product