heroin

noun

her·​o·​in ˈher-ə-wən 

ˈhe-rə-

: a strongly physiologically addictive narcotic C₂₁H₂₃NO₅ that is made by acetylation of but is more potent than morphine and that is prohibited for medical use in the U.S. but is used illicitly for its euphoric effects

heroinism

ˈher-ə-wə-ˌni-zəm 

ˈhe-rə-

noun

Examples of heroin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Demon Plant How then did such a plant, so beneficial and benign as a medicine, food, and mild stimulant, come to be classified among the world’s most dangerous drugs, condemned by international law as the criminal equivalent of heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine? —Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025

In a bag, authorities found more than 3½ pounds of fentanyl powder, 5 pounds of meth and a pound of heroin, the charges say. —Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2025

Even amid abusing heroin, cocaine, alcohol and other drugs, Fisher got the attention of the Royals at a tryout in 1975. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025

Salinas bought heroin from Jackson for the past month. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from Heroin, a trademark

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heroin

• heroine

Kids Definition

heroin

noun

her·​o·​in ˈher-ə-wən 

: a strongly addictive drug made from the opium poppy and stronger than morphine

Medical Definition

heroin

noun

her·​o·​in ˈher-ə-wən 

: a strongly physiologically addictive narcotic C₂₁H₂₃NO₅ that is made by acetylation of but is more potent than morphine and that is prohibited for medical use in the United States but is used illicitly for its euphoric effects

called also acetomorphine, diacetylmorphine, diamorphine