hallucinogen

noun

hal·​lu·​ci·​no·​gen hə-ˈlü-sə-nə-jən How to pronounce hallucinogen (audio)
: a substance that induces hallucinations
hallucinogenic adjective or noun

Examples of hallucinogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Native American Church, which is considered the largest Indigenous church in America and is located throughout the Southwest, has been legally using peyote, a hallucinogen, for services since the 1990s. Pardis Mahdavi, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2025 The research is so promising, in fact, that health experts, Wall Street investors and others widely believe the Food and Drug Administration eventually will approve some hallucinogens as therapies and, when that happens, there will be a huge market for those treatments. Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2025 The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office attributed his death to an accidental overdose of ketamine, a hallucinogen long known as a party drug that has grown in popularity in recent years as an off-label treatment for depression. Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2025 Once, Diddy asked Paul to test some 2-C, which is a hallucinogen. Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 21 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hallucinogen

Word History

Etymology

hallucination + -o- + -gen

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hallucinogen was in 1954

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hallucinogen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hallucinogen. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

hallucinogen

noun
hal·​lu·​ci·​no·​gen hə-ˈlü-sə-nə-jən How to pronounce hallucinogen (audio)
: a drug that causes hallucinations
hallucinogenic adjective

Medical Definition

hallucinogen

noun
hal·​lu·​ci·​no·​gen hə-ˈlüs-ᵊn-ə-jən How to pronounce hallucinogen (audio)
: a substance and especially a drug that induces hallucinations

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