morphine

noun

mor·​phine ˈmȯr-ˌfēn 

: a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C₁₇H₁₉NO₃ that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of a soluble salt (such as a hydrochloride or a sulfate) as an analgesic and sedative

Examples of morphine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Filling in the care gaps In low- and middle-income countries, essential medications like morphine, used for controlling pain and other symptoms, often aren’t available. — Emilee Flynn, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026

Chris, often strung out on morphine, his memory and his wits addled by cancer, has become a jaw-flapping liability. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026

Its owner, Jack Swilling, was a hardworking, hard-drinking entrepreneur who often supplemented his whiskey with liquid morphine. — Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026

Those concentrates can be up to 13 times stronger than morphine, and users risk addiction, liver damage, and seizures— or worse. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Morpheus

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for morphine

• apomorphine

Kids Definition

morphine

noun

mor·​phine ˈmȯr-ˌfēn 

: a bitter white habit-forming narcotic drug made from opium and used especially to deaden pain

Etymology

derived from Morpheus "Greek god of dreams"

Medical Definition

morphine

noun

mor·​phine ˈmȯr-ˌfēn 

: a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C₁₇H₁₉NO₃ that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of its hydrated sulfate (C₁₇H₁₉NO₃)₂·H₂SO₄·5H₂O or hydrated hydrochloride C₁₇H₁₉NO₃·HCl·3H₂O as an analgesic and sedative