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: 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
These included four separate sales to one customer between September and December, totaling more than 450 grams of cocaine.
—Jenna Russell, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2024
Using wiretaps and surveillance, in addition to search warrants, agents and officers recovered roughly 33 kilogram-sized packages of cocaine and more than 6 kilograms of fentanyl, eight loaded firearms and one imitation pistol, officials said.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 11 Dec. 2024
The drug ring funneled more than a half ton of marijuana, several hundred kilograms of cocaine and significant quantities of other drugs into UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University and Appalachian State University, prosecutors said.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024
The press release also said that the operation led to the seizure of a large amount of drugs such as marijuana, LSD, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, Adderall, and Xanax.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1860, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing cocaine
Dictionary Entries Near cocaine
Cite this Entry
“Cocaine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cocaine. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on cocaine
Nglish: Translation of cocaine for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of cocaine for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cocaine
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