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

As in Monster, Lizzie blamed some of her story inconsistencies on the morphine she’d been administered as a sedative. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

According to court records, Chalmers did not document the child's second dose of intravenous morphine and claimed the child's pain was not responding to the prescribed medication. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

This has involved drawing a bright line between whole-leaf kratom — generally the products sold by the vendors that fund the association — and its new derivatives, which have been described as more potent than morphine. — Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 1 Sep. 2026

Smith gave Capers a shot of morphine and then darted away to treat the other Marines. — Ethan Rocke, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 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