Poison vs. Venom — What's the Difference?

In biology, poisons are substances that can cause death, injury or harm to organs, tissues, cells, and DNA usually by chemical reactions or other activity on the molecular scales, when an organism is exposed to a sufficient quantity.In a metaphorical broader use of term it may refer to any thing deemed harmful. The fields of medicine (particularly veterinary) and zoology often distinguish a poison from a toxin, and from a venom.

Venom is often injected through fangs or stingers.

A substance that causes injury, illness, or death, especially by chemical means.

Venom is a toxin actively delivered by an organism.

Something destructive or fatal.

Venom is generally specialized to target specific biological systems.

(Chemistry) A substance that inhibits another substance or a reaction

Venom often has rapid and localized effects.

To kill or harm with poison.

Venom is a type of poison, especially one secreted by an animal. Venom has evolved in a wide variety of animals, both predators and prey, and both vertebrates and invertebrates.

To put poison on or into

A poisonous secretion of an animal, such as a snake, spider, or scorpion, usually transmitted to prey or to attackers by a bite or sting.

To pollute

Malice; spite

To have a harmful influence on; corrupt

An animal toxin intended for offensive use, a biological poison delivered by bite, sting, etc. to protect an animal or to kill its prey.

Chemistry & Physics To inhibit (a substance or reaction).

(figuratively) Feeling or speech marked by spite or malice; vitriol.

Poisonous.

(obsolete) To infect with venom; to envenom; to poison.

A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism when ingested.

(obsolete) Poisonous, poisoned; (figuratively) pernicious.

Something that harms a person or thing.

Matter fatal or injurious to life; poison; particularly, the poisonous matter which certain animals, such as serpents, scorpions, bees, etc., secrete in a state of health, and communicate by biting or stinging.

(informal) An intoxicating drink; a liquor. (note: this sense is chiefly encountered in the phrases "name your poison" and "what's your poison ?")

Spite; malice; malignity; evil quality.

(chemistry) Any substance that inhibits catalytic activity.

To infect with venom; to envenom; to poison.

(transitive) To use poison to kill or paralyse (somebody).

Toxin secreted by animals; secreted by certain snakes and poisonous insects (e.g., spiders and scorpions)

(transitive) To pollute; to cause to become poisonous.

Feeling a need to see others suffer

(transitive) To cause to become much worse.

Venom is usually protein-based.

(transitive) To cause (someone) to hate or to have unfair negative opinions.

(chemistry) To inhibit the catalytic activity of.

To place false information into (a cache) as part of an exploit.

Any agent which, when introduced into the animal organism, is capable of producing a morbid, noxious, or deadly effect upon it; as, morphine is a deadly poison; the poison of pestilential diseases.

That which taints or destroys moral purity or health; as, the poison of evil example; the poison of sin.

To put poison upon or into; to infect with poison; as, to poison an arrow; to poison food or drink.

To injure or kill by poison; to administer poison to.

To taint; to corrupt; to vitiate; as, vice poisons happiness; slander poisoned his mind.

To act as, or convey, a poison.

Any substance that causes injury or illness or death of a living organism

Anything that harms or destroys;

Spoil as if by poison;

Kill by its poison;

Kill with poison;

Add poison to;

Administer poison to;

Poison is a substance that causes harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed.

Poison can be natural or synthetic.

Poison affects biological functions negatively.

Poison can be a solid, liquid, or gas.

Poison can be systemic or localized in its effects.

Venom is actively delivered via a specialized anatomical structure.

Venom is a toxin actively delivered, usually through a bite or sting.

Yes, poison can be either natural or synthetic.

Poison is usually delivered passively.

Generally, venom is naturally produced by certain animals.

Venom is typically a liquid, often containing complex proteins.

Poison can be solid, liquid, or gaseous.

Poison can affect various biological systems.

Generally, venom acts rapidly.

Poison is a harmful substance that can be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed.

Venom often targets specific biological systems.

Yes, all venoms are types of poisons.

Yes, some poisons have localized effects.

No, not all poisons are venoms.

Yes, many countries have regulations concerning the use and possession of poisons and venoms.