cocaine

noun

co·​caine kō-ˈkān 

ˈkō-ˌkān

: a bitter crystalline alkaloid C₁₇H₂₁NO₄ obtained from coca leaves that is used especially in the form of its hydrochloride medically as a topical anesthetic and illicitly for its euphoric effects and that may result in a compulsive psychological need

Examples of cocaine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One surprising thing Despite the flurry of headlines announcing that, according to an anonymous tip, Liam Payne’s autopsy found pink cocaine in his system, there’s no chemical test for pink cocaine. —Celia Ford, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024

Argentine officials also found substances in Payne’s hotel room that appeared to be drugs, as well as evidence of alcohol and narcotics consumption, including the designer drug known as pink cocaine. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024

The ‘Ndrangheta in the southern region of Calabria, for example, is responsible for much of Europe’s cocaine trade. —Brooke Seipel, Fortune Europe, 27 Oct. 2024

The mobster has been convicted in absentia with a final guilty ruling for importing cocaine and acting as an intermediary between the Casalesi clan of the Camorra and Colombian drug cartels, police said. —Reuters, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cocaine

• crack cocaine

Kids Definition

cocaine

noun

co·​caine kō-ˈkān 

ˈkō-ˌkān

: a bitter habit-forming drug obtained from coca leaves and used in medicine to deaden pain and illegally for its euphoric effects

Medical Definition

cocaine

noun

co·​caine kō-ˈkān, ˈkō-ˌ 

: a bitter crystalline alkaloid C₁₇H₂₁NO₄ obtained from coca leaves that is used medically especially in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₇H₂₁NO₄·HCl as a topical anesthetic and illicitly for its euphoric effects and that may result in a compulsive psychological need