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

Paul Danan reportedly died from a cocktail of drugs including heroin and cocaine, a court has heard. —Latoya Gayle, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025

Dasgupta and Volkow also said that if the current trend holds, the U.S. could return to a level of fatal overdose not seen since 2016, when fentanyl began replacing heroin in the street drug supply. —Brian Mann, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025

During a search of his home, investigators reportedly located clothing that matched with clothing worn by Cross in several of the robberies, as well as narcotics, including heroin and crack cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025

Some are aging gang leaders who reigned over international trafficking rings decades ago focused on cocaine and heroin. —Drazen Jorgic, Laura Gottesdiener, and Lizbeth Diaz, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 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