cyanide

noun cy·a·nide \ ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd , -nəd \

|Updated on: 19 Jul 2018

Definition of cyanide

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

a : potassium cyanide

b : sodium cyanide

2 : cyanogen 1

See cyanide defined for English-language learners

See cyanide defined for kids

Recent Examples of cyanide from the Web

Their investigations in Torres’s home country of El Salvador determined he was exposed to mercury, cyanide, arsenic and potentially other neurotoxins in utero and in his early years, possibly slowing his brain development, according to the motions.

— justin jouvenal, Washington Post, "Expert: Man set for trial in killing of Muslim teen may be too impaired to face death penalty," 18 May 2018
The sentencing of a man convicted of mailing fatal cyanide to a suicidal Englishman is set to resume in Maine.

— Fox News, "Sentencing to resume in case of man who mailed fatal cyanide," 20 May 2018
In 1945, Nazi official Heinrich Himmler committed suicide by biting into a cyanide capsule while in British custody in Luneburg, Germany.

— BostonGlobe.com, "This day in history," 23 May 2018
Miners left open pits and dug-up stream beds that continue to leak cyanide, mercury, antimony and other toxic metals into the river, the U.S. Geological Survey said in 2015.

— rocky barker, idahostatesman, "World's largest gold miner puts $38 million bet on new Idaho project | Idaho Statesman," 9 May 2018
The dog, a 3-year-old Labrador, died quickly and the teen suffered cyanide poisoning for weeks before recovering.

— trevor hughes, USA TODAY, "Cyanide 'bombs' used to kill coyotes, foxes under review by federal officials," 28 Apr. 2018
Oddly enough, peach and cherry pits contain their own form of deadly chemical: cyanide.

— dawn mitchell, Indianapolis Star, "How peach pits helped us win The Great War," 20 Apr. 2018
That left the state and federal governments to foot the bill for a $100 million cleanup of cyanide, arsenic and other contaminants that polluted adjacent land and waterways.

— darryl fears, idahostatesman, "An Idaho mining firm exec griped to Zinke about pollution rules. Zinke apologized. | Idaho Statesman," 29 Mar. 2018
No centralized database tracks how many fish are taken from reefs, for instance, and little information exists about how the capture of fish—sometimes by the destructive use of cyanide and dynamite—affects their numbers in the wild.

— National Geographic, "See How Fish Get From Coral Reefs to Your Aquarium Tank," 29 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cyanide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cyanide

International Scientific Vocabulary

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1826

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

CYANIDE Defined for English Language Learners

cyanide

noun

Definition of cyanide for English Language Learners

: a very poisonous chemical

CYANIDE Defined for Kids

cyanide

noun cy·a·nide \ ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd \

Definition of cyanide for Students

: any of several compounds containing carbon and nitrogen and including two very poisonous substances

Medical Dictionary

cyanide

noun cy·a·nide \ ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd, -nəd \

medical Definition of cyanide

: 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