A nitrile is a compound containing a carbon–nitrogen triple bond, written R–C≡N. The nitrile group is the functional group and can be converted into a carboxylic acid or an amine, which makes nitriles useful synthetic intermediates. They are named with the suffix '-nitrile', the triple-bonded carbon being counted as part of the parent chain; for example, ethanenitrile (commonly called acetonitrile).

腈是含有碳氮三键的化合物,写作 R–C≡N。腈基即为官能团,可转化为羧酸或胺,因而腈是有用的合成中间体。它们以词尾“-nitrile(腈)”命名,三键碳被计入主链;例如乙腈(俗称甲基氰)。