poison gas

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.

poison gas

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of poison gas¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Guards subjected torture victims to electric shocks, doused them with poison gas and burned them.

From Washington Post

Because the decay will trigger the opening of the vial of poison gas and hence the death of the cat, the cat’s life or death is also a purely chance event.

From Singularity Hub 

Then came the horrors of World War I, with the advent of tanks and airplanes and poison gas.

From The Daily Beast

At first, some doubted the regime had actually used poison gas.

From The Daily Beast

By using poison gas against his own people, Bashar al-Assad has achieved two goals.

From The Daily Beast

The Assad regime in Syria has carried out a horrifying crime, killing 1,400 noncombatants with poison gas.

From The Daily Beast

Even an attempt to destroy a chemical-weapons dump may be disastrous, if the poison gas is released into the atmosphere.

From The Daily Beast

It might have been heat, for the thermometer registered one hundred and thirty-five, and it might have been poison gas.

From Project Gutenberg

High-explosive shells and poison gas—these were the weapons which they believed would give them victory.

From Project Gutenberg

This ravine was crammed with artillery batteries which were daily subjected to fire and deluged with poison gas.

From Project Gutenberg

In addition to that, the fickleness of the wind might waft the poison gas in the direction of our own vessels.

From Project Gutenberg

After Hill 60, Ypres, where shrapnel and poison gas put an end to my soldiering days—I am afraid for ever.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• mustard gas