opioid

1 of 2

noun

opi·​oid ˈō-pē-ˌȯid 

plural opioids

: a natural, semisynthetic, or synthetic substance that typically binds to the same cell receptors as opium and produces similar narcotic effects (such as sedation, pain relief, slowed breathing, and euphoria):

a

or less commonly opioid peptide : any of various of endogenous polypeptides (such as an endorphin or enkephalin) produced by neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system

The people who rated pain the lowest were those whose brains began producing natural painkillers called opioids the fastest …

—John O'Neil

b

: any of various opiates (such as morphine), semisynthetic opiate derivatives (such as heroin, hydrocodone, or oxycodone), or synthetic preparations (such as fentanyl or methadone) that may be used illicitly for their narcotic properties and are associated with physiological tolerance (see tolerance sense 4a(1)), physical and psychological dependence, or addiction upon repeated or prolonged use

… fentanyl, a synthetic opioid at least 75 times more potent than morphine.

—Ryan Trimble and Eric S. Peterson

Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist used for the treatment of heroin addiction.

—Scientific American

The prototypical opioids are morphine and codeine (which is milder than morphine).

—Harvard Health Letter

When Walker County was identified as the epicenter of Alabama's opioid crisis, it was no surprise to residents who watched as drugs brought death and devastation down upon their families, neighbors and communities.

—Ashley Remkus

Note: The word opioid was originally used only for morphine-like substances not derived from opium, but it has now become widely accepted as a broader term encompassing any substance—natural or synthetic, opium-derived or not—that binds to opiate cell receptors and induces sedation, analgesia, and euphoria.

opioid

2 of 2

adjective

: possessing narcotic properties characteristic of opiates : of, relating to, involving, or being an opioid

opioid drugs

opioid addiction

endogenous opioid endorphins

opioid cell receptors

Examples of opioid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The governors representing the 22 westernmost states and territories passed four resolutions aimed at tackling issues such as the opioid epidemic and forestry and species management. —Eden Villalovas, Washington Examiner, 27 Nov. 2023

But the company’s guiding mission is to combat the opioid crisis by detecting respiratory distress in overdosing patients and releasing drugs to counteract the overdose — reducing the need for a third-party to administer naloxone. —Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 17 Nov. 2023

Some could come from the existing population, through companies’ efforts to tap into new labor pools and through government efforts to address larger issues like the opioid crisis, which has sidelined hundreds of thousands of working-age Americans. —Jeanna Smialek Hilary Swift, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023

In total, the sheriff’s office is investigating nine opioid overdoses at Park View this year among male and female students. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2023

There’s no question that as the ongoing opioid crisis continues to escalate, a careful balance must be struck between the risks and benefits of prescribing opioids. —Trevor Thompson, Associate Professor Of Clinical Research At The University Of Greenwich, Fortune Well, 29 Oct. 2023

Most people addicted to opioids also regularly use other drugs, studies show, especially meth, which is common in this encampment outside Kalamazoo, MI.Credit... —Jan Hoffman, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023

The Queen of Rap, 40, speaks candidly about her past Percocet use in Vogue’s new December cover story, revealing that she was prescribed the opioid to treat painful menstrual cramps years ago. —Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2023

Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley renewed a vow to end trade relations with Beijing over the opioid fentanyl. —Charles Hutzler, WSJ, 9 Nov. 2023

Adjective

Doctors are still trying to understand how cannabis use impacts opioid use, and vice versa, says Dr. Stephanie Widmer, a medical toxicologist and emergency medicine physician practicing in New York. —Dr. Khushali Jhaveri, ABC News, 29 Nov. 2023

Rite Aid files for bankruptcy amid opioid lawsuits, growing debt But for national pharmacy chains, retrenchment has been a long time coming, retail analysts say, as increased competition, changing consumer behaviors, retail crime, staffing shortages and minimal store investment come to a head. —Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2023

But in the wake of that plea, the Sackler-run company only intensified its sales push (including paying kickbacks to doctors and others to increase opioid prescriptions). —Libby Lewis, The New Republic, 3 Oct. 2023

Trone said that 20% of all opioid fatalities could be saved with similar training. —Breccan F. Thies, Washington Examiner, 13 Sep. 2023

But just nine states expressly require schools to have opioid antagonists, and some of those requirements only apply to public schools or certain grades. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2023

Getty Images White people who visit hospital emergency departments with pain are 26% more likely than Black people to be given opioid pain medications such as morphine. —Trevor Thompson, Associate Professor Of Clinical Research At The University Of Greenwich, Fortune Well, 29 Oct. 2023

That means that more than 71 of every 100 Arkansans receive an opioid prescription. —Tony Holt, Arkansas Online, 25 Oct. 2023

Rite Aid Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy following years of losses, failed mergers and opioid litigation. —Francesca Fontana, WSJ, 20 Oct. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

opium + -oid entry 1

Adjective

opium + -oid entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1957, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1967, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing opioid

• opioid peptide

• opioid peptide

Kids Definition

opioid

noun

opi·​oid ˈō-pē-ˌȯid 

: any substance that binds to the same cell receptors as opium, produces similar effects (as sleepiness and pain relief), includes drugs used medically especially as painkillers, is often used illicitly for its narcotic properties, and often causes physical and psychological dependence

Medical Definition

opioid

1 of 2 noun

ˈō-pē-ˌȯid 

: a natural, semisynthetic, or synthetic substance that typically binds to the same cell receptors as opium and produces similar narcotic effects (such as sedation, pain relief, slowed breathing, and euphoria):

a

also opioid peptide : any of various of endogenous polypeptides (such as an endorphin or enkephalin) produced by neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system

b

: any of various opiates (such as morphine), semisynthetic opiate derivatives (such as heroin, hydrocodone, or oxycodone), or synthetic preparations (such as fentanyl or methadone) that may be used illicitly for their narcotic properties and are associated with physiological tolerance (see tolerance sense 1), physical and psychological dependence, or addiction upon repeated or prolonged use

… fentanyl, a synthetic opioid at least 75 times more potent than morphine.

—Ryan Trimble and Eric S. Peterson

The prototypical opioids are morphine and codeine (which is milder than morphine).

—Harvard Health Letter

Note: The word opioid was originally used only for morphine-like substances not derived from opium, but it has now become widely accepted as a broader term encompassing any substance—natural or synthetic, opium-derived or not—that binds to opiate cell receptors and induces sedation, analgesia, and euphoria.

opioid

2 of 2 adjective

opi·​oid

: possessing narcotic properties characteristic of opiates : of, relating to, involving, or being an opioid

opioid drugs

opioid addiction

endogenous opioid endorphins

opioid cell receptors