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

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

The Arapahoe County coroner ruled Angela’s cause of death was acute cyanide and tetrahydrozoline poisoning, with subacute arsenic poisoning listed as a significant condition. —Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 15 July 2025

If Tom Cruise isn't your cup of cyanide, there are other movies to see this weekend. —Keith Sharon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Her blood samples showed high levels of arsenic, cyanide and tetrahydrozoline Angela Craig’s condition continued to decline in the next three hours. —Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 31 July 2025

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