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

In July of last year, Demi Lovato reportedly overdosed on heroin and was rushed to the hospital. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Demi Lovato Reportedly Went to a Treatment Facility—but Not Because of a Relapse," 6 Mar. 2019 Her son, Corey Merrill, overdosed on heroin at 23 years old in 2011, just as the crisis was turning into catastrophe. — Claire Galofaro, The Seattle Times, "Moms of the dead from drugs: “Where is the outrage for us?”," 29 Jan. 2019 Investigators with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office carry doses of Narcan, a drug that has saved countless addicts who have overdosed on heroin and fentanyl. — Lawrence Mower, miamiherald, "Lawmakers set to approve massive opioid bill, but it could have been more | Miami Herald," 7 Mar. 2018 Advertising Opioids, including heroin and prescription drugs such as OxyContin, were a factor in a record 48,000 deaths across the U.S. in 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — Geoff Mulvihill, The Seattle Times, "Maker of OxyContin agrees to $270M settlement in Oklahoma," 27 Mar. 2019 Ricciuti, uses Suboxone to stay off heroin and manage her chronic pain. — Kainaz Amaria, Vox, "2018, explained in pictures by women and non-binary photographers," 21 Dec. 2018 So what percentage of the people with fresh needle marks is addicted to heroin? — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "“Fixed mindsets” might be why we don’t understand statistics," 14 Oct. 2018 However, a source close to Lovato later told the tabloid that the overdose was not from heroin. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Update: Demi Lovato Is Not Under Criminal Investigation, Police Confirm," 25 July 2018 According to People, a source close to the situation said that Demi did suffer an overdose, but not from heroin. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "[UPDATED] Demi Lovato Reportedly Rushed to the Hospital Over Drug Overdose," 25 July 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