cyanide

noun

cy·​a·​nide ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd 

-nəd

1

: a compound of cyanogen with a more electropositive element or group: such as

a

: potassium cyanide

b

: sodium cyanide

2

: cyanogen sense 1

Examples of cyanide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cyanidation is a process used to extract gold from low-grade ore by dissolving it in a dilute cyanide solution. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026

Granville’s exploits included skiing over the Carpathian mountains during the war to deliver microfilms with cyanide sewed into her skirts and a hunting knife tucked into her trousers. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026

An unknown assailant shoots up the Vances' house during a Shabbat meal, before killing himself with a cyanide cigarette. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026

In 2022, the state of Arizona gave Frank Atwood the option to be executed using Zyklon B, the hydrogen-cyanide gas that the Nazis used to murder more than a million people during the Holocaust. —Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cyanide

• hydrogen cyanide
• potassium cyanide
• sodium cyanide

Rhymes for cyanide

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide
• certified

Kids 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