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

In June, the agency issued a warning letter to Shaman Botanicals — the manufacturing arm of his operation — over its production of 7-OH products, which the FDA has said is 13 times more potent than morphine and prohibited in dietary supplements and conventional foods. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 24 Nov. 2025

At the time, Clarke died of what appeared as an accidental overdose of a mix of drugs including morphine, codeine, ethanol and gabapentin, an anticonvulsant medication. —Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 20 Nov. 2025

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than​ morphine, according to the California Department of Public Health. —Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 16 Nov. 2025

Nitazenes are a class of potent synthetic opioid created in the 1950s as an alternative to morphine, but never approved for medical use because of their potential for overdose, Townsend tells Rolling Stone. —Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 15 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Morpheus

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

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