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

The 40-year-old Crowley also talked about his own experience growing up in poverty and with working-class parents who battled substance abuse and mental health issues during the city's crack-cocaine epidemic. — Maayan Silver, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026

Sign Up for Our Free Daily Newsletter The ancient Inca sacrificed children who were drugged with cocaine, a powerful hallucinogen and, in some cases, alcohol, according to a new study in Antiquity. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2026

The sniffling wasn’t from cocaine Many viewers speculated that Evans began using cocaine after moving to Texas, pointing to his frequent sniffling as evidence of his drug use. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Nov. 2026

Leijdekkers is considered to be one of the key players in the international cocaine trade. — CBS News, 2 Nov. 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