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

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

The U.S. accused Russia of using chemical weapons, including poison gas, against Ukrainian forces.

From New York Times

The United States has accused Russia of using chemical weapons, including poison gas, “as a method of warfare” against Ukrainian forces, in violation of a global ban on the use of such weapons.

From New York Times

Long-range artillery, rapid-fire machine guns, poison gas, flamethrowers, tanks, and airplanes that bombed and strafed introduced new kinds of terror and record levels of suffering and death.

From Literature

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

Related Words

• mustard gas