cyanide
noun
cy·a·nide
ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd 
-nəd
1
: a compound of cyanogen with a more electropositive element or group: such as
b
2
Examples of cyanide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jones and more than 900 members of his Peoples Temple died in a murder-suicide by drinking Flavor Aid (not, as has become the saying, Kool-Aid) laced with cyanide at Jonestown in 1978.
—
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
The team theorizes that shocks initially create these thin filaments in the process, releasing silicon monoxide and organic molecules like methanol, methyl cyanide, and cyanoacetylene into the interstellar medium.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Mar. 2025
The Suncor refinery in Commerce City spilled an excessive amount of cyanide into Sand Creek last month, prompting an investigation from the state's public health department.
—Axios Denver, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
Sodium cyanide, according to the US’ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, releases a highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas that interferes with the body’s ability to use oxygen.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cyanide
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Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025
The team theorizes that shocks initially create these thin filaments in the process, releasing silicon monoxide and organic molecules like methanol, methyl cyanide, and cyanoacetylene into the interstellar medium.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Mar. 2025
The Suncor refinery in Commerce City spilled an excessive amount of cyanide into Sand Creek last month, prompting an investigation from the state's public health department.
—Axios Denver, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
Sodium cyanide, according to the US’ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, releases a highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas that interferes with the body’s ability to use oxygen.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cyanide
Cite this Entry
“Cyanide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyanide. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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