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."
"The vet said the dog's illness was probably poisoning from eating a garden plant."
2
The act of giving someone poison.
"Detectives suspected poisoning rather than natural causes."
"The old mystery novel centres on the slow poisoning of a wealthy landowner."
"He was questioned by police on suspicion of the poisoning of his neighbour's cat."
How to use poisoning
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing harmed by a poisonous substance, or the act of administering poison.
Common pairings
food poisoning
lead poisoning
carbon monoxide poisoning
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Word forms
- Plural
- poisonings
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He was rushed to hospital with suspected food _____.
Etymology
By surface analysis, poison plus -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for poisoning
See all rhymes for poisoning →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.
