drug

verb

drugged; drugging; drugs

transitive verb

1

: to affect (a person or animal) with a drug (see drug entry 1)

especially : to stupefy (someone) by an intoxicating drug

looks like he's been drugged

2

: to administer a drug to (a person or animal)

drugged against pain

3

: to lull or stupefy (someone) as if with a drug

… the kind of overly familiar music that delights most audiences and drugs most critics.

—Time

4

: to add an illicit or intoxicating drug to (food or drink) usually surreptitiously

There's also very little violence in the movie. … The kidnapping is done by drugging the victim's drink.

—Drew Zahn

intransitive verb

: to take drugs especially for the intoxicating effect

Examples of drug in a Sentence

He looks like he's been drugged.

Someone could have drugged your drink.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to court documents reviewed by the Miami Herald, a woman, using the pseudonym Jane Doe to protect her identity, claims that the renowned plastic surgeon drugged and assaulted her in early May 2025. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026

All of these men were drugged, per the indictment. —Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026

In 2015, he was arrested days before the 12-year statute of limitations was set to expire over a 2004 incident where he was accused of drugging and molesting Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia estate. —Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 29 May 2026

Last year, Reid claimed she was drugged at a hotel bar. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing drug

• date rape drug
• designer drug
• drug dealer
• drug paraphernalia
• drug test
• feel/look like something the cat brought/dragged/drug in
• gateway drug
• miracle drug
• new drug
• orphan drug
• performance-enhancing drug
• prescription drug
• recreational drug
• smart drug
• sulfa drug
• wonder drug

Rhymes for drug

• chug
• doug
• dug
• hug
• jug
• lug
• mug
• plug
• pug
• rug
• rugg
• shrug

Kids Definition

drug

1 of 2 noun

ˈdrəg 

1

: a substance used as a medicine or in making medicines

2

: something for which there is no demand

—used in the phrase drug on the market

3

: a usually illegal substance (as heroin, LSD, or cocaine) that affects bodily activities often in a harmful way and is taken for other than medical reasons

drug

2 of 2 verb

drugged; drugging

1

: to affect or treat with a drug

especially : to make dull or numb by a narcotic drug

2

: to lull or make dull or numb as if with a drug

Medical Definition

drug

1 of 2 noun

ˈdrəg 

1

a

: a substance used as a medication or in the preparation of medication

b according to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

(1)

: a substance recognized in an official pharmacopoeia or formulary

(2)

: a substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease

(3)

: a substance other than food intended to affect the structure or function of the body

(4)

: a substance intended for use as a component of a medicine but not a device or a component, part, or accessory of a device

2

: something and often an illicit substance that causes addiction, habituation, or a marked change in consciousness

drug

2 of 2 verb

drugged; drugging

transitive verb

1

: to affect (a person or animal) with a drug (see drug entry 1)

especially : to stupefy (someone) by an intoxicating drug

2

: to administer a drug to (a person or animal)

intransitive verb

: to take drugs especially for the intoxicating effect