heroin

noun

her·o·in | \ ˈher-ə-wən

, ˈhe-rə-\

Definition of heroin

: a strongly physiologically addictive narcotic C₂₁H₂₃NO₅ that is made by acetylation of but is more potent than morphine and that is prohibited for medical use in the U.S. but is used illicitly for its euphoric effects

Other Words from heroin Example Sentences Learn More about heroin

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of heroin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Lynn, there have been 187 heroin overdoses through May of this year, Kmiec said, including 19 deaths. — John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, "Lynn police investigate after five people overdosed, one fatally, on Tuesday afternoon," 27 June 2018 In 2016, four people in Jackson County died of heroin overdoses. — Molly Harbarger, OregonLive.com, "Jackson County sees startling spike in opioid overdose deaths," 26 Apr. 2018 That's the powerful painkiller blamed on increasing deaths in recent years as U.S. authorities focused on reducing heroin overdoses. — Dan Sewell, Fox News, "Old, new drugs creating deadly mixtures to raise Ohio tolls," 2 Apr. 2018 The death rate due to heroin overdoses in the District of Columbia. — Karen Kaplan, latimes.com, "Opioid overdose deaths are still rising in nearly every segment of the country, CDC says," 29 Mar. 2018 For seven years, lawmakers did little as heroin overdoses skyrocketed. — Lawrence Mower, miamiherald, "Lawmakers set to approve massive opioid bill, but it could have been more | Miami Herald," 7 Mar. 2018 In 2017, there were 98 fatal heroin overdoses, down two from the 100 in 2016. — Carol Robinson, AL.com, "Jefferson County records 267 drug overdose deaths in 2017," 28 Feb. 2018 So if cocaine or heroin were cheaper and more accessible, there’s a good chance people would start with those drugs first. — German Lopez, Vox, "Marijuana is a relatively safe drug — with some risks," 14 Nov. 2018 The drugs included including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, oxycodone and fentanyl. — Curt Anderson, The Seattle Times, "French drug dealer in US beard contest gets 20 years’ prison," 9 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heroin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for heroin

heroin

noun

English Language Learners Definition of heroin

: a powerful illegal drug that is made from morphine

See the full definition for heroin in the English Language Learners Dictionary

heroin

noun

her·o·in | \ ˈher-ə-wən

Kids Definition of heroin

: a very harmful illegal drug that is highly addictive and is made from morphine

heroin

noun

her·o·in | \ ˈher-ə-wən

Medical Definition of heroin

: a strongly physiologically addictive narcotic C₂₁H₂₃NO₅ that is made by acetylation of but is more potent than morphine and that is prohibited for medical use in the United States but is used illicitly for its euphoric effects

— called also acetomorphine, diacetylmorphine, diamorphine