cyanogenic

adjective

cy·​a·​no·​gen·​ic ˌsī-ə-nō-ˈje-nik 

sī-ˌa-nō-

variants or less commonly cyanogenetic

ˌsī-ə-nō-jə-ˈne-tik 

sī-ˌa-nō-

: capable of producing cyanide (such as hydrogen cyanide)

a cyanogenic glucoside

cyanogenesis

ˌsī-ə-nō-ˈje-nə-səs 

sī-ˌa-nō-

noun

Examples of cyanogenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scott notes that while the flesh of the Hawthorn berry is fully edible and commonly used to make jams and jellies, consuming large quantities of whole berries can be harmful as the seeds contain toxic cyanogenic glycosides. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026

Citrus seeds contain compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which can release trace amounts of hydrogen cyanide, a naturally occurring chemical that, in larger amounts, can interfere with how the body uses oxygen, when seeds are thoroughly chewed or crushed. — Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026

That said, consumption of some species of raw bamboo was also associated with the production of cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide. — New Atlas, 20 Jan. 2026

Raw or Unripe Elderberries Are Toxic Uncooked elderberries, leaves, stems, and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. — Health, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cyanogenic

• allergenic
• androgenic
• antigenic
• authigenic
• autogenic
• biogenic
• bronchogenic
• chromogenic
• cryogenic
• echogenic
• estrogenic
• isogenic

Medical Definition

cyanogenic

adjective

cy·​a·​no·​gen·​ic ˌsī-ə-nō-ˈjen-ik, sī-ˌan-ō- 

variants also cyanogenetic

-jə-ˈnet-ik 

: capable of producing cyanide (as hydrogen cyanide)

cyanogenic glycosides

Cassava is cyanogenic, and varieties are recognized as being either bitter or sweet (i.e., containing high or low amounts of cyanide).

—Darna L. Dufour, Bioscience

cyanogenesis

-ˈjen-ə-səs 

noun

plural cyanogeneses -ˌsēz