hydrogen cyanide
noun
1
: a poisonous usually gaseous compound HCN that has the odor of bitter almonds
2
Examples of hydrogen cyanide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those substances include hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide and benzene — all chemicals that can make people sick with asthma and other respiratory diseases as well as cancer.
—
Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 7 May 2025
To equate coca with the raw alkaloid is, in fact, as misguided as suggesting that the delicious flesh of a peach is equivalent to the hydrogen cyanide found in every peach pit.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
The ash coating destroyed and damaged homes contains volatile organic compounds that can include benzene, silica, asbestos, lead, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen fluoride.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Miller and Urey found that this triggered the formation of glycine, hydrogen cyanide, alanine, and other building blocks of life.
—Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydrogen cyanide
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 7 May 2025
To equate coca with the raw alkaloid is, in fact, as misguided as suggesting that the delicious flesh of a peach is equivalent to the hydrogen cyanide found in every peach pit.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
The ash coating destroyed and damaged homes contains volatile organic compounds that can include benzene, silica, asbestos, lead, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen fluoride.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Miller and Urey found that this triggered the formation of glycine, hydrogen cyanide, alanine, and other building blocks of life.
—Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hydrogen cyanide
Cite this Entry
“Hydrogen cyanide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrogen%20cyanide. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share