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noun Common

poisoning

POY-zuh-nihng

Poisoning (noun) means harm or illness caused by a poisonous substance entering the body. Example: “He was rushed to hospital with suspected food poisoning.”

noun
1
Harm or illness caused by a poisonous substance entering the body.
"He was rushed to hospital with suspected food poisoning."
"Lead poisoning can cause lasting damage in children."
2
The act of giving someone poison.
"Detectives suspected poisoning rather than natural causes."

How to Use Poisoning

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing harmed by a poisonous substance, or the act of administering poison.

Common pairings
food poisoning lead poisoning carbon monoxide poisoning

Word Forms

poisonings plural

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Test yourself on “poisoning” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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He was rushed to hospital with suspected food _____.

Related Words

Rhymes for poisoning

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “poisoning” mean?

The word “poisoning” means harm or illness caused by a poisonous substance entering the body. In plain terms, being harmed by a poisonous substance, or the act of administering poison.

How do you pronounce “poisoning”?

“Poisoning” is pronounced POY-zuh-nihng (/ˈpɔɪzənɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “poisoning” in a sentence?

Here is “poisoning” used in a sentence: “He was rushed to hospital with suspected food poisoning.”

What part of speech is “poisoning”?

“Poisoning” is a noun.

Is “poisoning” a common word?

“Poisoning” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “poisoning” have?

“Poisoning” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: harm or illness caused by a poisonous substance entering the body.

What is the difference between poisoning and food poisoning?

Poisoning broadly refers to harm or illness caused by a poisonous substance entering the body, while food poisoning is a specific type caused by consuming contaminated food. Both share the general mechanism of a harmful substance affecting the body, but food poisoning has a narrower, more common cause.

What is the difference between poisoning and intoxication?

Poisoning refers to harm caused by any poisonous substance entering the body, while intoxication often specifically describes impairment from alcohol or drugs. Poisoning is the broader term and can result from chemicals, plants, or other toxic agents as well.

Can poisoning refer to a deliberate act?

Yes, poisoning can describe the act of giving someone poison intentionally, not just the resulting illness. Context usually makes clear whether the word refers to the harmful condition itself or the deliberate act that caused it.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial