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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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 But the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District conducted its own studies, which found less pollution — 0 to 16 parts per million of hydrogen sulfide in Imperial Beach, along with safe levels of hydrogen cyanide. Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 While cooked lima beans are safe to eat, raw lima beans contain toxic compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which break down into hydrogen cyanide, a compound that’s toxic to humans. Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2024 The state legislation specified that Suncor needed to monitor the air for hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide and benzene. Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 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 23 Dec. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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