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

The search turned up 8 pounds of meth, 100 grams of heroin and fentanyl, 100 grams of marijuana, approximately 1 gallon of GHB, cash, a shotgun, and assorted drug paraphernalia. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al.com, "4 arrested, 8 pounds of meth seized in Lee County drug raid," 14 June 2019 Over the years, as opioid prescriptions have fallen, many drug users have moved on to heroin and fentanyl. — Dan Levin, New York Times, "Inside the Elementary School Where Drug Addiction Sets the Curriculum," 12 June 2019 Fewer people died of heroin and fentanyl in Maryland in the first quarter of 2019 than during the same period the previous year, preliminary data shows, marking the state’s first decline in fatal opioid overdoses in a decade. — Erin Cox, Washington Post, "For the first time in 10 years, fatal opioid overdoses decline in Maryland," 11 June 2019 Blake said, drawing a contrast between buprenorphine, which is very unlikely to cause an overdose, and heroin or fentanyl. — German Lopez, Vox, "A Vermont needle exchange isn’t just giving out syringes. It’s offering treatment on the spot.," 20 Nov. 2018 Boston police conducted drug raids in several areas of the city on Monday, arresting at least 13 people on drug charges and seizing significant amounts of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. — Felicia Gans, BostonGlobe.com, "13 arrested in Boston drug raids," 3 July 2018 That includes prescription pills, heroin and fentanyl. — Catherine Ho, San Francisco Chronicle, "California orders opioid overdose antidote naloxone available without prescription," 8 June 2018 Gerard was charged in another heroin and fentanyl case, brought by the state’s attorney’s office. — Jennifer Gonnerman, The New Yorker, "How One Woman’s Fight to Save Her Family Helped Lead to a Mass Exoneration," 19 May 2018 He was arrested in January 2017 and pleaded guilty in December to distribution of fentanyl and heroin resulting in death. — Eric Heisig, cleveland.com, "Cleveland drug dealer sentenced for selling fentanyl-heroin mix to Cleveland Heights man who died," 10 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