: a fatty acid C4H8O3 structurally similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid that is a depressant of the central nervous system, is used medically in the form of its sodium salt C4H7NaO3 especially to treat narcolepsy, is used illicitly in the form of one of several salts to produce sedative and euphoric effects, and is sometimes abused by athletes and body builders to stimulate the release of growth hormone although it has not been shown to increase muscle mass

called also gamma hydroxybutyrate

see date-rape drug

Examples of GHB in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web She was found to have a low level of alcohol in her system, while GHB was discovered in her system. Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2024 Then Khazar and her friend took three hits of GHB and passed out. Albert Samaha, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2023 Announced Thursday, American will operate a direct flight from Miami International Airport to Governor’s Harbour, Bahamas (GHB) for the first time. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2023 The two still face a felony charge of slipping GHB into the drink of one of the women, the judge ruled. Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2023 Police cited the use of Rohypnol and GHB, commonly known as roofies, that are secretly placed in people’s drinks and cause a host of symptoms, including disorientation, confusion, temporary paralysis, or unconsciousness, the alert said. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Apr. 2023 Other drink-spiking detection tests developed for drugs like the sedatives gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Rohypnol (few existing tests, if any, detect DPH) often use a lateral-flow test technique, an approach that is common in Covid-19 self-testing. Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2023 Jonathan Vigliotti: Is GHB, is the date-rape drug something these women would have taken knowingly? Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'GHB.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of GHB was in 1963

Dictionary Entries Near GHB

Cite this Entry

“GHB.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/GHB. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

: a fatty acid C4H8O3 structurally similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid that is a depressant of the central nervous system, is used medically in the form of its sodium salt C4H7NaO3 especially to treat narcolepsy, is used illicitly in the form of one of several salts to produce sedative and euphoric effects, and is sometimes abused by athletes and body builders to stimulate the release of growth hormone although it has not been shown to increase muscle mass

called also gamma hydroxybutyrate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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