cyanide
noun
cy·a·nide
ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd 
-nəd
1
: a compound of cyanogen with a more electropositive element or group: such as
b
2
Examples of cyanide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, after the poisoning was taking longer and kept putting Angela in the hospital, James allegedly visited her to poison her with cyanide.
—
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Some moderate symptoms of cyanide poisoning include difficulty breathing, weakness, and lightheadedness.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2025
Then, on November 18, 1978, more than 900 members of the cult, the cult’s leader, members of the media, and a United States Congressman died, most from cyanide poisoning and some from gunshot wounds (self-inflicted and otherwise).
—Sarah Rex, JSTOR Daily, 20 Aug. 2025
James Craig, 47, allegedly used a combination of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline — an ingredient found in over-the-counter eye drops — to kill his wife of 23 years, Angela Craig, more than two years ago in Aurora.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cyanide
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Some moderate symptoms of cyanide poisoning include difficulty breathing, weakness, and lightheadedness.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2025
Then, on November 18, 1978, more than 900 members of the cult, the cult’s leader, members of the media, and a United States Congressman died, most from cyanide poisoning and some from gunshot wounds (self-inflicted and otherwise).
—Sarah Rex, JSTOR Daily, 20 Aug. 2025
James Craig, 47, allegedly used a combination of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline — an ingredient found in over-the-counter eye drops — to kill his wife of 23 years, Angela Craig, more than two years ago in Aurora.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cyanide
Cite this Entry
“Cyanide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyanide. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cyanide
noun
cy·a·nide
ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd
-nəd
: a very poisonous compound consisting of carbon and nitrogen with either sodium or potassium
Medical Definition
cyanide
noun
cy·a·nide
ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd, -nəd
: any of several compounds (as potassium cyanide) that contain the radical CN having a chemical valence of one, react with and inactivate respiratory enzymes, and are rapidly lethal producing drowsiness, tachycardia, coma, and finally death
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share