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
Incidentally, even sweet almonds contain a trace amount of cyanide, but not enough to be toxic.
—
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026
Contaminants include asbestos, heavy metals, lead, formaldehyde, cyanide and carcinogens.
—Tony Saavedra, Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
William Orpet was tried for murder but was found not guilty by jury after the substance found that killed Lambert was potassium cyanide, not liquid cyanide.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security warned in a bulletin that these crimes have increased over the last five years and lists 17 cases since 2014 of people attempting to poison their family members, using toxins such as ricin and cyanide, resulting in at least 11 deaths.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cyanide
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Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026
Contaminants include asbestos, heavy metals, lead, formaldehyde, cyanide and carcinogens.
—Tony Saavedra, Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
William Orpet was tried for murder but was found not guilty by jury after the substance found that killed Lambert was potassium cyanide, not liquid cyanide.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security warned in a bulletin that these crimes have increased over the last five years and lists 17 cases since 2014 of people attempting to poison their family members, using toxins such as ricin and cyanide, resulting in at least 11 deaths.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cyanide
Cite this Entry
“Cyanide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyanide. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
