heroin

noun

her·​o·​in ˈher-ə-wən How to pronounce heroin (audio)
ˈhe-rə-
: 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 noun

Examples of heroin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His career was halted in 1980 after he was arrested in South Dakota for heroin possession, The New York Times reported. Stephanie Kaloi, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024 Bailey, on parole from a heroin sales conviction, was arrested Sept. 17 at 173rd Street and Torrence Avenue after an officer recovered a .380 caliber handgun from the vehicle’s glove box, police said. Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2024 He also was convicted in federal court of heroin trafficking and gun charges, and in 2013 was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2024 Barnett covered the 9/11 terrorist attacks, then-Senator Barack Obama’s first national speech, interviewed Congressman John Lewis and detailed the New England heroin epidemic. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for heroin 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heroin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from Heroin, a trademark

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heroin was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near heroin

Cite this Entry

“Heroin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heroin. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

heroin

noun
her·​o·​in ˈher-ə-wən How to pronounce heroin (audio)
: a strongly addictive drug made from the opium poppy and stronger than morphine

Medical Definition

heroin

noun
her·​o·​in ˈher-ə-wən How to pronounce heroin (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on heroin

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