venom

1 of 2

noun

ven·​om ˈve-nəm 

1

: a toxic substance produced by some animals (such as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect

broadly : a substance that is poisonous

2

: a spiteful malicious feeling or state of mind : extreme ill will : malevolence

venom

2 of 2

verb

venomed; venoming; venoms

transitive verb

: envenom

Synonyms of venom

Noun

• poison
• toxic
• disease
• toxin

Examples of venom in a Sentence

Noun

She spoke of him with venom in her voice.

He spewed venom against his rival.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The jaw of a dragon possesses a venom gland with ducts that open between multiple teeth, delivering a potent venom into the bite site. —Craig Stanford, Big Think, 7 May 2026

Do not use a tourniquet, attempt to suck out venom, or cut the bite site. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 4 May 2026

In the event of a bite, officials emphasized the importance of staying calm, limiting movement and calling 911 immediately, while warning against using a tourniquet or attempting to remove venom. —Staff Author, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026

If bitten by a rattlesnake, victims should stay calm, limit movement, call 911 and seek emergency medical attention, avoiding myths such as sucking out the venom or applying ice. —Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English venim, borrowed from Anglo-French venim, venyn, going back to Vulgar Latin *venīmen, re-formation of Latin venēnum "magical herb, poison," going back to *wenes-no-m, from *wenes- (whence vener-, venus "sexual desire, qualities exciting desire, charm") + *-no-, instrumental suffix — more at venus

Note: In the sense "poison" Latin venēnum is perhaps an avoidance euphemism, a word meaning "magical charm" being transferred to something toxic, and hence dangerous, to avoid saying the actual word. Compare Old High German gift "gift, magical drink," Modern German Gift "poison."

Verb

Middle English venimen, borrowed from Anglo-French venimer, verbal derivative of venim venom entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing venom

• spit blood/venom

Rhymes for venom

• denim
• plenum
• imipenem

Kids Definition

venom

noun

ven·​om

ˈven-əm

1

: poison produced by some animals (as a snake, scorpion, or bee) and passed to a victim usually by biting or stinging

2

: spite entry 1, malice

Medical Definition

venom

noun

ven·​om ˈven-əm 

: a toxic substance produced by some animals (as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect

broadly : a substance that is poisonous