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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
Take, for example, the work done by Kurosawa, who showed that carbon-rich asteroids can react with atmospheric nitrogen to produce hydrogen cyanide — which is thought to be one of the most important chemical precursors to the origin of life.
—Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
But the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District conducted its own studies, which found less pollution — 0 to 16 parts per million of hydrogen sulfide in Imperial Beach, along with safe levels of hydrogen cyanide.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024
While cooked lima beans are safe to eat, raw lima beans contain toxic compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which break down into hydrogen cyanide, a compound that’s toxic to humans.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2024
The state legislation specified that Suncor needed to monitor the air for hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide and benzene.
—Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near hydrogen cyanide
Cite this Entry
“Hydrogen cyanide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrogen%20cyanide. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
hydrogen cyanide
noun1
: a poisonous usually gaseous compound HCN that has the odor of bitter almonds
2
More from Merriam-Webster on hydrogen cyanide
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrogen cyanide
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