addiction

noun

ad·dic·tion ə-ˈdik-shən

: a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence : the state of being addicted

alcohol addiction

an addiction to prescription painkillers

drug addictions

gambling addiction

: a strong inclination to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly

But those who know him well say he isn't driven by politics as much as his addiction to breaking news.—

Amanda Ripley

If we do not find the courage to kick our fossil fuel addiction and transition to clean energy, we will warm the atmosphere to the extent that areas typically covered in white all winter long could see only sporadic snow.—

Steven Nyman

Examples of addiction in a Sentence

He has a drug addiction. His life has been ruined by heroin addiction. He devotes his summers to his surfing addiction.

Recent Examples on the Web She and Simone were adopted by their grandparents At the age of 3, Simone and her infant sister were placed in foster care when their biological mother, Sharon, was unable to take care of them due to her drug and alcohol addiction. —

Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2023 Little is known about the long-term health consequences of using e-cigarettes, but they have been linked to nicotine addiction, lung damage, asthma and mental health problems. —

Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023 In powder form, the way it's almost always found in the illicit drug supply, the drug cannot absorb through the skin, said Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist, emergency physician and addiction medicine specialist at the Cleveland Medical Center. —

Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023 On some level, and to varying degrees, all of the members of the Replacements had been born into a cycle of abuse, addiction, or depression. —

Elizabeth Nelson, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2023 Sadly, Moloney fell into a struggle with addiction and mental health issues. —

Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Sep. 2023 Portrayed by Wood Harris in the first season, Haywood’s arc on the series comes to an end after his cocaine addiction sparks a locker room vote that prompts his dismissal from the Lakers. —

Variety, NBC News, 18 Sep. 2023 Musk’s predilection to continually seek out his next business conquest could be interpreted as an addiction to risk-taking behaviors, according to Nave. —

Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 16 Sep. 2023 His attorney didn’t call any of his family members to speak to his character, the impact of his troubled childhood or his struggles with addiction, which might have persuaded the judge to lessen his sentence. —

Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'addiction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "inclination, bent," in part derivative of addict entry 2, in part borrowed from Latin addictiōn-, addictiō "adjudging (of disputed property), assignment of a debtor to the custody of his creditor," from addīcere "to assign (property), hand over, give up to" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at addict entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1532, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of addiction was circa 1532

See more words from the same year