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

Los Huistas was responsible for coordinating large-scale cocaine shipments across international borders and was one of the most prolific cocaine traffickers on the globe, prosecutors said. —Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Torres-Ortiz allegedly collected the packages and took them to secondary locations where Edgar Castro Perez and Arroyo-Robles allegedly stored them until the cocaine was distributed further, federal officials claimed. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026

Both have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism and cocaine importation. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026

Sierra and the other seven suspects are facing charges of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, the release said. —Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 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