cocaine

noun

co·​caine kō-ˈkān 

ˈkō-ˌkān

: a bitter crystalline alkaloid C₁₇H₂₁NO₄ obtained from coca leaves that is used especially in the form of its hydrochloride medically as a topical anesthetic and illicitly for its euphoric effects and that may result in a compulsive psychological need

Examples of cocaine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Drug dealers mix fentanyl, because of its potency and low cost, with other drugs including heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, which increases the likelihood of a fatal dose, according to the DEA. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026

Dozens of brazen drug dealers turned a Bronx commercial shopping district into an open-air drug market rife with fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crystal meth that customers used on the street in broad daylight, authorities said Monday. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026

Lorenzo Rojas-Martinez, 37, was previously convicted of cocaine distribution. —Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 16 June 2026

He was found dead on the floor of his hotel room, and his autopsy report later revealed the presence of cocaine and Demerol in his bloodstream. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cocaine

• crack cocaine

Rhymes for cocaine

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

cocaine

noun

co·​caine kō-ˈkān 

ˈkō-ˌkān

: a bitter habit-forming drug obtained from coca leaves and used in medicine to deaden pain and illegally for its euphoric effects

Medical Definition

cocaine

noun

co·​caine kō-ˈkān, ˈkō-ˌ 

: a bitter crystalline alkaloid C₁₇H₂₁NO₄ obtained from coca leaves that is used medically especially in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₇H₂₁NO₄·HCl as a topical anesthetic and illicitly for its euphoric effects and that may result in a compulsive psychological need