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
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.
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 Importantly, in the ancient atmosphere sample, sprays of water alone were enough to ionize the air and trigger the formation of organic molecules with carbon-nitrogen bonds, such as hydrogen cyanide, glycine and uracil. Michael Irving, New Atlas, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hydrogen cyanide

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrogen cyanide was in 1869

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Cite this Entry

“Hydrogen cyanide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrogen%20cyanide. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

hydrogen cyanide

noun
1
: a poisonous usually gaseous compound HCN that has the odor of bitter almonds
2

More from Merriam-Webster on hydrogen cyanide

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