poison

1 of 3

noun

poi·​son ˈpȯi-zᵊn How to pronounce poison (audio)
Synonyms of poisonnext
1
a
: a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism
b(1)
: something destructive or harmful
(2)
: an object of aversion or abhorrence
2
: a substance that inhibits the activity of another substance or the course of a reaction or process
a catalyst poison

poison

2 of 3

verb

poisoned; poisoning ˈpȯiz-niŋ How to pronounce poison (audio)
ˈpȯi-zᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: to injure or kill with poison
b
: to treat, taint, or impregnate with or as if with poison
2
: to exert a baneful influence on : corrupt
poisoned their minds
3
: to inhibit the activity, course, or occurrence of
on the night when he poisoned my rest— Charles Dickens
poisoner
ˈpȯiz-nər How to pronounce poison (audio)
ˈpȯi-zᵊn-ər
noun

poison

3 of 3

adjective

1
: poisonous, venomous
a poison plant
a poison tongue
2
: impregnated with poison : poisoned
a poison arrow

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of poison in a Sentence

Noun a jar of rat poison The killer gave her victims food laced with poison. suck poison from a snake bite
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.
Noun
Patients became enraged when doctors refused to prescribe it and poison control calls spiked. — Erin Alberty, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025 The study, which analyzed nonfatal fentanyl exposures in children aged 0–19 reported to U.S. poison centers across 49 states from 2015 to 2023, showed the number of severe incidents is on the rise. — William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
The invisible, odorless gas is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States, killing more than 400 Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2025 Thousands each year are shot, poisoned to suffer, and trapped legally. — James Powel, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Behavior and reproduction Most frogs are nocturnal, but not poison frogs. — National Geographic, 28 Feb. 2020 Some farmers even intentionally poison cranes to stop them from foraging in their crops. — National Geographic, 10 Feb. 2020 See All Example Sentences for poison

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French poisun drink, potion, poison, from Latin potion-, potio drink — more at potion

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of poison was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing poison

Browse Nearby Words

poison
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Cite this Entry

“Poison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poison. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

poison

1 of 3 noun
poi·​son ˈpȯiz-ən How to pronounce poison (audio)
1
: a substance that by its chemical action can kill or injure a living thing
2
: something destructive or harmful

poison

2 of 3 verb
poisoned; poisoning ˈpȯiz-niŋ How to pronounce poison (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
1
a
: to injure or kill with poison
b
: to put poison in or on
poisoned the air with its fumes
2
: to exert a harmful influence on : corrupt
poisoned their minds
poisoner
ˈpȯiz-nər How to pronounce poison (audio)
-ᵊn-ər
noun

poison

3 of 3 adjective
: poisonous
a poison plant
Etymology

Noun

Middle English poison "poison, a poisonous drink," from early French poison "drink, potion, poison," from Latin potion-, potio "a drink, potion" — related to potion

Medical Definition

poison

1 of 3 noun
poi·​son ˈpȯiz-ᵊn How to pronounce poison (audio)
1
: a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism
2
: a substance that inhibits the activity of another substance or the course of a reaction or process
a catalyst poison

poison

2 of 3 transitive verb
poisoned; poisoning ˈpȯiz-niŋ, -ᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce poison (audio)
1
: to injure or kill with poison
2
: to treat, taint, or impregnate with poison

poison

3 of 3 adjective
1
: poisonous
a poison plant
2
: impregnated with poison
a poison arrow

More from Merriam-Webster on poison

Nglish: Translation of poison for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poison

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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