addiction

noun

ad·​dic·​tion ə-ˈdik-shən 

a-

1

: a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence : the state of being addicted

alcohol addiction

an addiction to prescription painkillers

drug addictions

gambling addiction

2

: a strong inclination to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly

But those who know him well say he isn't driven by politics as much as his addiction to breaking news.

—Amanda Ripley

If we do not find the courage to kick our fossil fuel addiction and transition to clean energy, we will warm the atmosphere to the extent that areas typically covered in white all winter long could see only sporadic snow.

—Steven Nyman

Synonyms

• dependence
• dependance
• habit
• jones [slang]
• monkey

Example Sentences

He has a drug addiction.

His life has been ruined by heroin addiction.

He devotes his summers to his surfing addiction.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the months since, the foundation has sold merchandise to raise funds for various mental health and addiction recovery organizations. —Morgan Sung, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2022

Provides people living with HIV/AIDS with wraparound services including housing assistance, legal aid, addiction recovery, and food programs to address the root causes and impacts of systemic poverty. —Linda Gandee, cleveland, 20 Dec. 2022

Throughout the year, the organization assists over 25 million people in the U.S. through social services such as food, shelter, disaster assistance and addiction-recovery programs. —Ashley R. Williams, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022

People found with less than 12 grams of psilocybin will get a ticket and face a $100 fine, with the option of completing a health assessment at an addiction recovery center in lieu of the fine, per Measure 110 which passed in November 2020. —oregonlive, 8 Dec. 2022

On Wednesday, identifying information of customers who had accessed medical care, including for addiction recovery and mental health care, was released. —Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2022

This included quite a few instances where those ads were not just annoying but inappropriate—next to apps for kids' games or apps for gambling addiction recovery. —Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2022

Money raised from the gala goes toward MusiCares programs and services that assist the music community through physical and mental health resources, addiction recovery, preventative clinics, personal emergencies and disaster relief. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2022

Better yet, the company is also committed to reducing stigma around mental illness and addiction recovery. —Cailey Lindberg, Good Housekeeping, 18 Oct. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

earlier, "inclination, bent," in part derivative of addict entry 2, in part borrowed from Latin addictiōn-, addictiō "adjudging (of disputed property), assignment of a debtor to the custody of his creditor," from addīcere "to assign (property), hand over, give up to" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at addict entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1532, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

addiction

noun

ad·​dic·​tion ə-ˈdik-shən 

a-

: the quality or state of being addicted

especially : uncontrollable use of habit-forming drugs

Medical Definition

addiction

noun

ad·​dic·​tion ə-ˈdik-shən 

: a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence : the state of being addicted

alcohol addiction

an addiction to prescription painkillers

drug addictions

gambling addiction/it}

Legal Definition

addiction

noun

ad·​dic·​tion ə-ˈdik-shən 

: compulsive physiological need for a habit-forming drug (as heroin)

Last Updated: 5 Jan 2023 - Updated example sentences