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

Fentanyl itself is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. —Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 17 May 2026

The leader of a Connecticut drug trafficking organization was sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for distributing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine in and around Norwalk. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026

He also was charged with one count of possessing between 15 to 100 grams of heroin, police said. —Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026

Nitazene, for example, can be 10 times − or even 40 times − more powerful than fentanyl, which in turn can be 50 times more powerful than heroin. —Josh Meyer, USA Today, 14 May 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