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

An unknown assailant shoots up the Vances' house during a Shabbat meal, before killing himself with a cyanide cigarette. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026

In 2022, the state of Arizona gave Frank Atwood the option to be executed using Zyklon B, the hydrogen-cyanide gas that the Nazis used to murder more than a million people during the Holocaust. —Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026

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

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

Rhymes for cyanide

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide
• certified

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