venom

1 of 2

noun

ven·​om ˈve-nəm How to pronounce venom (audio)
1
: a toxic substance produced by some animals (such as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect
broadly : a substance that is poisonous
2
: a spiteful malicious feeling or state of mind : extreme ill will : malevolence

venom

2 of 2

verb

venomed; venoming; venoms

Examples of venom in a Sentence

Noun She spoke of him with venom in her voice. He spewed venom against his rival.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Video Ad Feedback 01:38 - Source: CNN In his ownership of X alone, Musk controls one of the world’s most important communications platforms, spitting corrosive venom into the public discourse at a faster speed than his SpaceX rockets hurtle into orbit. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 To arrive at this conclusion, the scientists first extracted venom from the scorpion by mild electrical stimulation to the telsons (stinger) and collected the venom through capillary tubes. Scott Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Trump's attorneys have tried to show the jury through their cross-examination of various witnesses that by taking on Trump, Carroll has gained a measure of fame and financial rewards that outweigh the threats and other venom slung at her through social media. Jake Offenhartz, Jennifer Peltz, arkansasonline.com, 26 Jan. 2024 The spider has a venom packed with 40 different toxic proteins and its raw venom is the only way to make life-saving antivenom. USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2024 But this area of research could mean that one day, the asp caterpillar’s venom could bring not only pain but relief. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023 The annual weekend baseball series that transforms its home site into a raucous celebration of old-fashioned college venom, is coming to the University of Miami’s Mark Light Field this weekend. Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 The new study highlights the untapped potential of scorpion venom for human health applications. Scott Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Don’t slash the wound with a knife or try to suck out venom. Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'venom.' 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 venim, borrowed from Anglo-French venim, venyn, going back to Vulgar Latin *venīmen, re-formation of Latin venēnum "magical herb, poison," going back to *wenes-no-m, from *wenes- (whence vener-, venus "sexual desire, qualities exciting desire, charm") + *-no-, instrumental suffix — more at venus

Note: In the sense "poison" Latin venēnum is perhaps an avoidance euphemism, a word meaning "magical charm" being transferred to something toxic, and hence dangerous, to avoid saying the actual word. Compare Old High German gift "gift, magical drink," Modern German Gift "poison."

Verb

Middle English venimen, borrowed from Anglo-French venimer, verbal derivative of venim venom entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of venom was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near venom

Cite this Entry

“Venom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venom. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

venom

noun
ven·​om
ˈven-əm
1
: poison produced by some animals (as a snake, scorpion, or bee) and passed to a victim usually by biting or stinging
2

Medical Definition

venom

noun
ven·​om ˈven-əm How to pronounce venom (audio)
: a toxic substance produced by some animals (as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect
broadly : a substance that is poisonous

More from Merriam-Webster on venom

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