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 addition to confiscating more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine, the operation seized 500 grams of fentanyl, 20 pounds of cocaine, 20 pounds of heroin, dozens of firearms, and more than $200,000 in cash. — Michael Cabanatuan, San Francisco Chronicle, "Massive federal drug bust nets 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine, 44 suspects," 11 Feb. 2021 Garrett Reid, 29, an unofficial strength and conditioning coach for the Eagles, died Aug. 5, 2012, of an accidental overdose of heroin. — Los Angeles Times, "The troubled pasts of Britt and Garrett Reid, sons of Chiefs coach Andy Reid," 6 Feb. 2021 Of those 233 deaths, 160 cases involved fentanyl, a pain-management drug that is more potent than heroin and 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. — Michelle Hunter, NOLA.com, "As fatal overdoses surge in Jefferson Parish, deadly new fentanyl variants emerge," 2 Feb. 2021 Surur was charged with conspiracy to commit wildlife trafficking, wildlife trafficking, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to distribute and possess one kilogram or more of heroin. — Larry Neumeister, Star Tribune, "Man charged in rhino horns, elephant ivory trafficking case," 25 Jan. 2021 New drugs also appeared as supplies of heroin faded. — al, "Drug overdoses climbed in Alabama during pandemic," 25 Jan. 2021 Law enforcement officials have shifted their focus to the influx of new dangerous substances like fentanyl, a synthetic form of heroin. — Kevin Krause, Dallas News, "Synthetic marijuana prosecutions get mixed results due to legal complications," 25 Dec. 2020 Agents with the Gainesville/Hall County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad seized about 8 pounds of methamphetamine, 2 pounds of marijuana, 8 grams of heroin and $83,000 in cash, according to Booth. — Henri Hollis, ajc, "Another week, another $400K drug bust in Hall County," 18 Dec. 2020 Government officials have subsequently told Human Rights Watch and Fakhry’s family that he was involved in organizing a party for members of the gay community and was found in possession of half a kilogram of heroin. — Washington Post, "He was the party planner of Baghdad. Then armed men took him away.," 16 Dec. 2020

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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Last Updated

19 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Heroin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heroin. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021.

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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

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