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

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Examples of heroin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Obama has come with grim news: Biden’s favorite Amtrak conductor, Finn Donnelly, had been found dead on the train tracks outside of Wilmington station, with a bag of heroin in his pocket. — Alexandra Alter, New York Times, "The Obama-Biden Bromance Continues. This Time in a Mystery Novel.," 12 July 2018 The 17½ pounds of heroin has a street value of $400,000, according to a Cobb sheriff’s office news release. — Ben Brasch, ajc, "Cops: Cobb parents had $400K of heroin in home with 2-year-old girl," 6 July 2018 In Guerrero — a hub for cultivation of the opium poppy, the raw material in the production of heroin — 10 candidates for local posts in the rural town of Cutzamala de Pinzon, home to about 5,000 people, have withdrawn from the race. — Patrick J. Mcdonnell, latimes.com, "Slayings of political candidates accelerate in run-up to Mexico election," 27 June 2018 In July 2017, The Enquirer embarked on a week-long reporting project to tell the story of heroin in our community. — Sallee Ann Ruibal, Cincinnati.com, "3 headlines you may have missed: Pulitzer plans, hitting the green and spring break plans," 26 June 2018 Kelly Cochran later injected her husband with a lethal dose of heroin in February 2016. — Caroline Blackmon, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan woman may have served ex-lover's remains at U.P. barbecue," 20 June 2018 Denise Hanna has never forgotten that the driver who killed her son nearly six and a half years ago was under the influence of heroin. — Staff Report, The Aegis, "Harford ramps up summer campaign to prevent opioid abuse, provide treatment," 15 June 2018 Robinson is the only defendant accused of distribution of heroin. — Marie Simoneaux, NOLA.com, "Former Orleans coroner's employee sold heroin from morgue van: court documents," 5 June 2018 Brian Chambers, 29, and Kevin Barlow, 28, were hanged in 1986 after being found with nearly 180 grams of heroin. — Eli Meixler, Time, "An Australian Grandmother Has Been Sentenced to Death for Drug Smuggling in Malaysia," 26 May 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.

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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