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

Miller has attacked his opponent for a 1998 arrest in which Poindexter, a teenager at the time, allegedly tried to swallow a rock of crack cocaine during a traffic stop. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Flores and Maduro are being held in federal custody while awaiting trial in Manhattan on charges stemming from what prosecutors describe as a decades-long conspiracy to send cocaine into the United States. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Ramey and LeJames Norman believed there was cocaine in the house and hoped to steal it, according to court records. — Michael Graczyk, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026

Similarly, the September 2018 death of rapper Mac Miller was determined to be an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine and alcohol. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 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