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

At first, everyone’s feeling a bit Grinchy because Ginny won’t serve Christmas Eve dinner until the sweetheart of the family, the recovering heroin addict Johnny (Christopher Sears), arrives with his friend and fellow N.A. member Loren (Barbie Ferreira). —Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024

Finally, there’s the late-to-the-party Johnny (Christopher Sears), a free-spirited recovering heroin addict who brings along his fellow 12-stepper Loren (Barbie Ferreira), the outsider and truth-teller whose appalled at the hateful religious vitriol spewed by Diana. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024

The courtship takes them into the wilds of South America and finds Lee blazed on alcohol, heroin, and psychedelics. —Rich Juzwiak, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024

The Met has ruled Ambassador Jun Chen’s death a heroin overdose, but his colleagues are very skeptical. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from Heroin, a trademark

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

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