: 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
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Was such a high concentration of morphine even possible through breast-feeding alone?
—
Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
But two nurses gave dramatically different accounts, saying Williamson was in no condition to be interviewed because of a painful open abdominal incision that required a continuous intravenous feed of morphine.
—Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
His mental lapses, due to dementia or morphine or both, were also becoming more frequent.
—Marion Winik, PEOPLE, 10 Dec. 2025
For the first week, no amount of morphine could dull the pain.
—David Freyne, Time, 7 Dec. 2025
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Ben Taub, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
But two nurses gave dramatically different accounts, saying Williamson was in no condition to be interviewed because of a painful open abdominal incision that required a continuous intravenous feed of morphine.
—Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
His mental lapses, due to dementia or morphine or both, were also becoming more frequent.
—Marion Winik, PEOPLE, 10 Dec. 2025
For the first week, no amount of morphine could dull the pain.
—David Freyne, Time, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for morphine
Cite this Entry
“Morphine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morphine. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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