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

When a substance is no longer treated like heroin or cocaine under state law, zero-tolerance policies start to look increasingly out of step with legislative intent, especially in non-safety-sensitive roles. —Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Shortly after the conclusion of the Uplift tour, Slovak, who had struggled with addiction, died of a heroin overdose on June 25, 1988. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026

The charging documents list fentanyl and marijuana as the drugs, with him being accused of being a heroin and fentanyl dealer. —Jennifer Mayerle, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026

Overdose deaths began steadily climbing in the 1990s with overdoses involving opioid painkillers, followed by waves of deaths from heroin and — more recently — illicit fentanyl. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 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