detox

noun

de·​tox ˈdē-ˌtäks 

di-ˈtäks

often attributive

1

: detoxification from an intoxicating or addictive substance

a detox clinic

2

: a program or facility for assisting a person undergoing detoxification from an intoxicating or addictive substance

spent one week in detox

3

: a regimen or treatment intended to remove toxins and impurities from the body

A well-designed detox can help purge your liver, colon, and kidneys of toxins; clear your skin; boost your energy; and help you safely shed pounds.

—Lisa Turner

detox verb

Examples of detox in a Sentence

He spent one week in detox.

The famous writer recently went into detox.

She has been through two detoxes in the past year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Florida’s enforced TikTok detox for students amounts to a mass experiment in controlling young people’s personal technology habits. —Natasha Singer, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2023

Patton started her on a course of Suboxone and got her into a hotel with her boyfriend to help her deal with the initial detox. —Angela Hart | Kff Health News, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023

These new patients don’t have the same consistent occupational profile, said Joseph Williams, a psychiatrist and addiction-medicine specialist who treated patients at the detox unit. —Andrew Van Dam, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2023

What better way to relax than to experience a full body detox and lymphatic drainage massage customized specifically to your personal wellness needs. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 17 Sep. 2023

So far, our detox has resulted in over $400 no longer being spent on credit card annual fees. —Scott Burns, Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2023

The group wants to see more mobile detox centers that act as temporary field hospitals providing support for people to withdraw from drugs, stabilize and get access to treatment and recovery housing. —Ncrombie, oregonlive, 14 Sep. 2023

After a full-body MOT and complete detox, while going offline in the beauty of nature? —Vogue, 30 Aug. 2023

Explore different methods that effectively help with Delta THC detox. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 13 Aug. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

detox

1 of 2 noun

de·​tox (ˈ)dē-ˈtäks 

1

a

: detoxification from an intoxicating or addictive substance

a unit providing detox for adolescents

—often used before another noun

a detox clinic

b

: a detox program or facility

There are city officials who are scrambling to see if they can extend the average stays in a detox.

—Peter Gelzinis, The Boston Herald

2

: a regimen or treatment to remove toxins and impurities from the body

A well-designed detox can help purge your liver, colon, and kidneys of toxins; clear your skin; boost your energy; and help you safely shed pounds.

—Lisa Turner, Better Nutrition

detox

2 of 2 intransitive verb

: to subject oneself to or to undergo detoxification : detoxify

Safely detoxing requires a 10- to 15-day hospital stay, medical experts say.

—Luke Cyphers, ESPN

transitive verb

: to remove a harmful or intoxicating substance from (someone or something) : detoxify

Most heroin addicts have been detoxed hundreds of times.

—Susan Reed, People Weekly

also : to remove impurities from

Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C as well as phytonutrients, compounds that naturally detox the body.

—Redbook