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

That binding — along with effects similar to those of opioid drugs such as heroin, fentanyl or oxycodone — has led some experts and politicians to refer to kratom as an opioid. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026

The country’s vast poppy fields have been the source of much of the world’s heroin, which in combination with decades of conflict and widespread poverty has fueled drug addiction that authorities have vowed to combat. —ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026

It is commonly mixed into other drugs like heroin. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026

Slovak played on the band’s first three studio albums before dying aged 26 of an accidental heroin overdose in 1988. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 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