cyanide

American  

[sahy-uh-nahyd, -nid] / ˈsaɪ əˌnaɪd, -nɪd /

noun

1. Chemistry. Also cyanid

   1. a salt of hydrocyanic acid, as potassium cyanide, KCN.

   2. a nitrile, as methyl cyanide, C 2 H 3 N.

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verb (used with object)

cyanided, cyaniding

1. to treat with a cyanide, as an ore in order to extract gold.

cyanide British  

/ ˈsaɪəˌnaɪd, ˈsaɪənɪd /

noun

1. any salt of hydrocyanic acid. Cyanides contain the ion CN ^– and are extremely poisonous

2. another name (not in technical usage) for nitrile

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cyanide Scientific  

/ sī′ə-nīd′ /

1. Any of a large group of chemical compounds containing the radical CN, especially the very poisonous salts sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide. Cyanides are used to make plastics and to extract and treat metals.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• subcyanid
  noun
• cyanidation
  noun
• subcyanide
  noun

Etymology

Origin of cyanide

1820–30; cyan- ³ + -ide ( def. )

Example Sentences

Cyanide fishing has historically been used in parts of Southeast Asia to stun or kill fish, often for the live reef trade.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Cyanide fishing has been banned in countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines but enforcement of the law remains difficult, and experts say the practice continues.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 19, 2022

In San Francisco, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government alumni and graduates of similar programs are selling tickets to a watch party they have dubbed “Champagne or Cyanide? It’s Election Night!”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2016

Animated "Bee and Puppycat" "Blank on Blank" "Cyanide & Happiness" "RWBY" "sWooZie"

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 12, 2015

Ammonic nitrate added 1 gram 5 grams 10 grams 20 grams Cyanide required 21.2 c.c.

From A Text-book of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines. by Beringer, Cornelius