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
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Some dragon millipedes, including a pink variety, are also capable of producing hydrogen cyanide, which is toxic and keeps predators away. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025 Some of the hazardous substances that may be present in the smoke are fire retardants, hydrogen chloride, bromine compounds and hydrogen cyanide—a fatally toxic chemical asphyxiant in high enough doses. John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025 In addition, heat from combustion causes some pesticides to degrade into harmful gases such as hydrogen cyanide. Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 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 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

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 19 Jan. 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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