cyanide

noun

cy·​a·​nide ˈsī-ə-ˌnīd 

-nəd

1

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

a

: potassium cyanide

b

: sodium cyanide

2

: cyanogen sense 1

Examples of cyanide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their case alleged that thousands of gallons of water runoff from the system, containing pollutants like cyanide, copper, and chromium, have spilled into sensitive local waterways, according to government documents obtained by NPR. —Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2024

In 1946: Nazi leader Hermann Goering, who was convicted during the Nuremberg trials, committed suicide by swallowing a cyanide capsule in his prison cell hours before his scheduled hanging for war crimes. —Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 15 Oct. 2024

Once mining begins, harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide pollute nearby rivers. —Jalynn Hilton, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2024

To give just one example, compounds of iron and cyanide (ferrocyanides) have been found to be crucial for producing the nucleotide building blocks of RNA. —Mario Livio, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cyanide

• hydrogen cyanide
• potassium cyanide
• sodium cyanide

Kids 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