cocaine

noun

co·​caine kō-ˈkān How to pronounce cocaine (audio)
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
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.
Eventually there was just no crack, no cocaine in it. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025 The wind and current was such that, as the plane flew over us and dropped the bales of cocaine, the cargo would theoretically stay in the general area between where I was stationed in the Mako and where our mothership was anchored. Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025 President Joe Biden’s State Department estimated the share of the world’s cocaine traffic that passes through Venezuela at 13 percent at most. Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025 Boston police officers allegedly found 40 plastic bags of crack cocaine and 20 plastic bags of fentanyl in James’s bra and pants pockets. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cocaine

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cocaine was in 1860

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cocaine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cocaine. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

cocaine

noun
co·​caine kō-ˈkān How to pronounce cocaine (audio)
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 How to pronounce cocaine (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on cocaine

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