poison

1 of 3

noun

poi·son ˈpȯi-zᵊn

Synonyms of poison next

: 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

: 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

ˈpȯi-zᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to injure or kill with poison

: to treat, taint, or impregnate with or as if with poison

: to exert a baneful influence on : corrupt

poisoned their minds

: to inhibit the activity, course, or occurrence of

on the night when he poisoned my rest—

Charles Dickens

poisoner

ˈpȯiz-nər

ˈpȯi-zᵊn-ər

noun

poison

3 of 3

adjective

: poisonous, venomous

a poison plant

a poison tongue

: impregnated with poison : poisoned

a poison arrow

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 The villain in the play dies by drinking a vial of poison. Poverty is a poison to society. Verb How did the murderer poison the victim? Hundreds were poisoned from drinking the contaminated water. He was poisoned with cyanide. The factory poisoned the air with its fumes. Illegal dumping of waste is poisoning the stream and killing fish. He poisoned their minds with hatred for her. His angry outburst poisoned the atmosphere of the party. Adjective the witch gave Snow White a poison apple

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

An owl can pick up a lot of poison eating at least four rodents a night, and many more during breeding season. —

Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024 As the poison burns his throat, the god eats bhang to dull its effects. —

Arbab Ali & Nadeem Sarwar, Saveur, 18 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for poison

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'poison.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Poison.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poison. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

poison

1 of 3 noun

poi·son ˈpȯiz-ən

: a substance that by its chemical action can kill or injure a living thing

: something destructive or harmful

poison

2 of 3 verb

poisoned; poisoning ˈpȯiz-niŋ

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to injure or kill with poison

: to put poison in or on

poisoned the air with its fumes

: to exert a harmful influence on : corrupt

poisoned their minds

poisoner

ˈpȯiz-nər

-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

: a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism

: 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

: to injure or kill with poison

: to treat, taint, or impregnate with poison

poison

3 of 3 adjective

: poisonous

a poison plant

: impregnated with poison

a poison arrow

Last Updated: 29 Apr 2024 - Updated example sentences

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poison

noun

verb

adjective

Synonyms

Examples of poison in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near poison

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition