poison

1 of 3

noun

poi·​son ˈpȯi-zᵊn 

1

a

: a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism

b(1)

: something destructive or harmful

Jealousy is poison for a relationship.

(2)

: an object of aversion or abhorrence

You can work late tonight or start extra early tomorrow. Pick/choose your poison. [=decide which of these two undesirable things you want]

2

: a substance that inhibits the activity of another substance or the course of a reaction or process

a catalyst poison

poison

2 of 3

verb

poisoned; poisoning ˈpȯiz-niŋ 

ˈpȯi-zᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to injure or kill with poison

b

: to treat, taint, or impregnate with or as if with poison

poisoned the knife

2

: to exert a baneful influence on : corrupt

poisoned their minds

3

: to inhibit the activity, course, or occurrence of

… on the night when he poisoned my rest.

—Charles Dickens

poisoner

ˈpȯiz-nər 

ˈpȯi-zᵊn-ər

noun

poison

3 of 3

adjective

1

: poisonous, venomous

a poison plant

a poison tongue

2

: impregnated with poison : poisoned

a poison arrow

Synonyms of poison

Noun

• toxic
• disease
• venom
• toxin
• pesticide

Verb

• taint
• spoil
• stain
• mar
• darken

Adjective

• poisoned
• poisonous
• toxic

Examples of poison in a Sentence

Noun

a jar of rat poison

The killer gave her victims food laced with poison.

suck poison from a snake bite

The villain in the play dies by drinking a vial of poison.

Poverty is a poison to society.

Verb

How did the murderer poison the victim?

Hundreds were poisoned from drinking the contaminated water.

He was poisoned with cyanide.

The factory poisoned the air with its fumes.

Illegal dumping of waste is poisoning the stream and killing fish.

He poisoned their minds with hatred for her.

His angry outburst poisoned the atmosphere of the party.

Adjective

the witch gave Snow White a poison apple

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In a truly horrifying scene, Sauron tortures a nice Elf couple into supplying some additional information on Marnûkh via poison and the false promise of an antidote. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2026

Trump looming over the entire ticket this year increased the map’s poison for conservatives, and no one was immune. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Verb

The country got rich, shoppers got easier access to goods and the ground got poisoned. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026

Politically, these massive warehouses are a liability as the public has developed an intense fear that the campuses will poison their water and crank up their electric bills. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 11 Nov. 2026

Adjective

Power to the people is poison to the powerful. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026

Dropped in recent years because carbs are poison. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French poisun drink, potion, poison, from Latin potion-, potio drink — more at potion

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing poison

• poison dart frog
• poison gas
• poison hemlock
• poison ivy
• poison oak
• poison-pen
• poison-pen letter
• poison pill
• poison sumac
• what's your poison?

Kids Definition

poison

1 of 3 noun

poi·​son ˈpȯiz-ən 

1

: a substance that by its chemical action can kill or injure a living thing

2

: something destructive or harmful

poison

2 of 3 verb

poisoned; poisoning ˈpȯiz-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

a

: to injure or kill with poison

b

: to put poison in or on

poisoned the air with its fumes

2

: to exert a harmful influence on : corrupt

poisoned their minds

poisoner

ˈpȯiz-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun

poison

3 of 3 adjective

: poisonous

a poison plant

Etymology

Noun

Middle English poison "poison, a poisonous drink," from early French poison "drink, potion, poison," from Latin potion-, potio "a drink, potion" — related to potion

Medical Definition

poison

1 of 3 noun

poi·​son ˈpȯiz-ᵊn 

1

: a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism

2

: a substance that inhibits the activity of another substance or the course of a reaction or process

a catalyst poison

poison

2 of 3 transitive verb

poisoned; poisoning ˈpȯiz-niŋ, -ᵊn-iŋ 

1

: to injure or kill with poison

2

: to treat, taint, or impregnate with poison

poison

3 of 3 adjective

1

: poisonous

a poison plant

2

: impregnated with poison

a poison arrow