alcoholism

noun

al·​co·​hol·​ism ˈal-kə-ˌhȯ-ˌli-zəm 

-kə-hə-

1

: continued excessive or compulsive use of alcoholic drinks

2

a

: a chronic, progressive, potentially fatal disorder marked by excessive and usually compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addiction

Note: Alcoholism is typically characterized by the inability to control alcoholic drinking, impairment of the ability to work and socialize, tendency to drink alone and engage in violent behavior, neglect of physical appearance and proper nutrition, alcohol-related illness (such as hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver), and moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms (such as irritability, anxiety, tremors, insomnia, and confusion) upon detoxification.

b

: acute alcohol poisoning resulting from the usually rapid consumption of excessive alcoholic beverages

Synonyms of alcoholism

• drunkenness

Examples of alcoholism in a Sentence

a treatment center for those suffering from alcoholism

Recent Examples on the Web

Those were rain, housecleaning, and alcoholism. —Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026

The writer Kate Gilgan found herself at the center of a literary scandal last month when, on social media, another writer accused her of using AI to write an emotional first-person essay about the experience of losing custody of her young son at the height of her alcoholism. —Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 9 Apr. 2026

The four-time Oscar nominee plays Rona, a young Scottish woman struggling with alcoholism who returns home after an extended stay in rehab. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026

The late content creator was also transparent about her struggles with alcoholism, occasionally sharing posts about her high alcohol intake and messages about trying to cut back. —Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing alcoholism

• anti-alcoholism

Rhymes for alcoholism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

Kids Definition

alcoholism

noun

al·​co·​hol·​ism ˈal-kə-ˌhȯ-ˌliz-əm 

: continued, uncontrolled, and greater than normal use of alcoholic drinks

also : an abnormal bodily state associated with such use

Medical Definition

alcoholism

noun

al·​co·​hol·​ism ˈal-kə-ˌhȯ-ˌliz-əm, -kə-hə- 

1

: continued excessive or compulsive use of alcoholic drinks

2

: a chronic, progressive, potentially fatal disorder marked by excessive and usually compulsive drinking of alcohol leading to psychological and physical dependence or addiction

Note: Alcoholism is typically characterized by the inability to control alcoholic drinking, impairment of the ability to work and socialize, tendency to drink alone and engage in violent behavior, neglect of physical appearance and proper nutrition, alcohol-related illness (such as hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver), and moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms (such as irritability, anxiety, tremors, insomnia, and confusion) upon detoxification.

compare acute alcoholism