poison gas

American  

noun

1. any of various toxic gases, especially those used in chemical warfare to kill or incapacitate on inhalation or contact, as phosgene, chlorine, etc.

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poison gas British  

noun

1. a gaseous substance, such as chlorine, phosgene, or lewisite, used in warfare to kill or harm

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Etymology

Origin of poison gas

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Before we walk into a room, we like to be fairly certain of what we’ll find — walls, floor, furniture, not hot coals or clouds of poison gas.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2024

Traces of the World War One poison gas phosgene were detected in an incident at Sweden's security service HQ last Friday, official documents suggest.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2024

It concludes with a stanza describing the death of a fellow soldier following a poison gas attack:

From Salon • Jul. 9, 2023

A few paragraphs later, though, he concedes that “some are noxious,” listing slavery and poison gas as examples.

From Washington Post • Jun. 24, 2022

In both sectors, the attacks were preceded by the discharge of chlorine gas—the first time poison gas had been used by the Allies.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

• mustard gas