cy·a·no·sis
ˌsī-ə-ˈnō-səs 
: a bluish or purplish discoloration (as of skin) due to deficient oxygenation of the blood
cy·a·nose
ˈsīəˌnōs also -ōz
variants
or less commonly cyanosite
sīˈanəˌsīt
plural -s
Examples of cyanosis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
The disorder leads to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and cyanosis, or bluish discoloration of the skin, said Dr. Michael Levine of UCLA Health.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
Ignoring cyanosis could lead to significant health complications, including brain damage or death.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2025
Capsaicin can be lethal to rats and mice, and symptoms of acute oral toxicity can include a staggering gait, skin redness, and cyanosis — blue lips, nail beds, and skin due to low oxygen levels.
—Amiah Taylor, Discover Magazine, 13 Nov. 2024
Later, Logan’s condition worsened and he was taken to Danbury Hospital with shortness of breath, rapid and shallow breathing, hypoxia, cyanosis, abnormal and rapid heartbeat and fever, the suit states.
—Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2024
Overdoses can cause stupor, changes in pupil size, clammy skin, cyanosis, coma and respiratory failure leading to death.
—Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2023
Blue discoloration of skin or mucous membranes is called cyanosis.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 10 July 2023
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Noun
In drug overdoses, skin color changes are often caused by cyanosis — low blood oxygen levels that can produce a blue or purple tint to the skin, lips and nails — according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2026
The disorder leads to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and cyanosis, or bluish discoloration of the skin, said Dr. Michael Levine of UCLA Health.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
Ignoring cyanosis could lead to significant health complications, including brain damage or death.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2025
Capsaicin can be lethal to rats and mice, and symptoms of acute oral toxicity can include a staggering gait, skin redness, and cyanosis — blue lips, nail beds, and skin due to low oxygen levels.
—Amiah Taylor, Discover Magazine, 13 Nov. 2024
Later, Logan’s condition worsened and he was taken to Danbury Hospital with shortness of breath, rapid and shallow breathing, hypoxia, cyanosis, abnormal and rapid heartbeat and fever, the suit states.
—Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2024
Overdoses can cause stupor, changes in pupil size, clammy skin, cyanosis, coma and respiratory failure leading to death.
—Ron Wood, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2023
Blue discoloration of skin or mucous membranes is called cyanosis.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 10 July 2023
Cite this Entry
“Cyanosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyanosis. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
cyanosis
noun
cy·a·no·sis
ˌsī-ə-ˈnō-səs
plural cyanoses
-ˌsēz
: a bluish or purplish discoloration (as of skin) due to deficient oxygenation of the blood
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