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

Murden says that Higher Dose’s infrared sauna blanket helps her detox while lying in bed, and gives her the best sweat she’s ever seen. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Aug. 2025

There are detox cleanses and topical ointments, such as crushing the stone of a peach, mixing it with rose oil, and smearing it on one's forehead to relieve migraine pain. —ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2025

For a natural respiratory detox, visit the Gradierhaus, a massive open-air salt inhalation wall. —Sofia Markovich, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2025

While folk schools are places where students can get away from the torment of social media and focus on the world outdoors, they are not specifically designed to be a digital detox. —Barry Levitt, Time, 25 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for detox

• botox
• checkbox
• comox
• cornstalks
• cowpox
• crosswalks
• deadlocks
• feedstocks
• firebox
• gearbox
• hemlocks
• icebox

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