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 first wave of deadly overdoses were tied to OxyContin and other prescription drugs, and subsequent waves have involved first heroin and more recently illicit versions of fentanyl. —arkansasonline.com, 20 Mar. 2025

In 1959, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison after getting busted for heroin trafficking. —Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025

An autopsy revealed the toddler died from a mixture of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl, officials said. —Paloma Chavez, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2025

Matthew, 48, is accused of removing narcotics, including cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, from an evidence locker in the county prosecutor’s office at least nine separate times between January 2019 and November 2023. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 12 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