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 All Saints’ final moments of being operational, a man who is addicted to heroin arrives after being chased down by his dealer at gunpoint. —Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

Prosecutors say the crew trafficked meth, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and PCP while stockpiling guns to enforce orders. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025

Ferrara makes no ambiguity about the fact that here, vampirism represents heroin addiction, something with which the director struggled. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025

In 2018, LeLon Campbell had pleaded guilty in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court to a heroin trafficking charge that was punishable by up to 18 months in prison. —Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025

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