heroin

noun

her·​o·​in ˈher-ə-wən 

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

ˈher-ə-wə-ˌni-zəm 

ˈhe-rə-

noun

Examples of heroin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2006, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Sherrybaby won big Laurie Collyer’s drama Sherrybaby stars Gyllenhaal as a young woman who gets released from prison and is recovering from a heroin addiction. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 June 2026

Every person who finds a path away from fentanyl, heroin and other deadly drugs matters. — Chris Carroll, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026

Officers also searched the man’s vehicle and seized 13 grams of methamphetamine, 3 grams of heroin, multiple smoking pipes and syringes. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026

Both medications prevent cravings and debilitating withdrawal symptoms among people who previously used heroin or fentanyl by binding with the same brain receptor. — Lev Facher, STAT, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

from Heroin, a trademark

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heroin

• heroine

Kids Definition

heroin

noun

her·​o·​in ˈher-ə-wən 

: a strongly addictive drug made from the opium poppy and stronger than morphine

Medical Definition

heroin

noun

her·​o·​in ˈher-ə-wən 

: 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