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

—

heroinism

play \ˈher-ə-wə-ˌni-zəm, ˈhe-rə-\ noun

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Recent Examples of heroin from the Web

So far this year, the Will County Coroner's office has reported 37 overdose deaths related to heroin, fentanyl and related opiates, out of a total of 54 accidental overdoses.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "New Lenox police offer addicts a 'Second Chance'," 21 Aug. 2017
In 2015, two people pleaded guilty to dropping 28 pounds (62 kilograms) of heroin from a drone in the border town of Calexico, California.

— elliot spagat, The Seattle Times, "Man is charged with flying drones to bring drugs from Mexico," 18 Aug. 2017
With heroin and opioid overdose deaths increasing, urgency to restore Jefferson County's family drug court was growing.

— deborah yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Amid heroin crisis, group raises private donations to restore family drug court," 14 Aug. 2017
Northern Kentucky leaders have pleaded for more treatment beds as the death toll from heroin and opioids mounts.

— scott wartman, Cincinnati.com, "Heroin treatment facility planned for former Pleasure Isle," 9 Aug. 2017
Perhaps the most egregious case today is America’s opioid epidemic, which in 2015 killed 16,000 people from overdoses of prescription drugs, in essence legalised heroin sold as painkillers.

— The Economist, "Without governments, would countries have more inequality, or less?," 13 July 2017
A study reported last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests opioid prescribing policies may reduce heroin overdose deaths.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Naperville hospital tackles opioid epidemic," 11 July 2017
At trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Nere had given Taylor heroin and cocaine late on the evening on June 28, 2012, while Taylor was at her mother's apartment in Wheaton.

— clifford ward, Wheaton Glen Ellyn, "Appeals court upholds conviction in drug death of Wheaton woman," 3 July 2017
There are also other factors putting stress on the drug traffickers, like the legalization of marijuana in some U.S. states, which destabilized drug profits and forced some organizations to rely heavily on heroin smuggling.

— j. weston phippen, The Atlantic, "Mexican Police Kill 19 Gunmen in a Shootout," 1 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of heroin

from Heroin, a trademark

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First Known Use: 1898

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HEROIN Defined for English Language Learners

heroin

noun

Definition of heroin for English Language Learners

: a powerful illegal drug that is made from morphine

HEROIN Defined for Kids

heroin

noun her·o·in \ ˈher-ə-wən \

Definition of heroin for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

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

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heroin

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heroinism

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heroin

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heroin

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