: a fatty acid C4H8O3 structurally similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid that is a depressant of the central nervous system, is used medically in the form of its sodium salt C4H7NaO3 especially to treat narcolepsy, is used illicitly in the form of one of several salts to produce sedative and euphoric effects, and is sometimes abused by athletes and body builders to stimulate the release of growth hormone although it has not been shown to increase muscle mass

called also gamma hydroxybutyrate

see date-rape drug

Examples of GHB in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The next day, GHB/Hotz and O.N.E. members attempted to kill East End gang members during afternoon shooting in front of a state courthouse on Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport that resulted in four people being shot while sitting inside a car, federal officials said. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2025 After a couple sips, Doe allegedly realized he had been drugged with GHB, a date rape substance, and began drifting in and out of consciousness. Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 4 Feb. 2025 During freak-offs, Combs allegedly pushed the use of Ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, and marijuana, and had an insatiable appetite himself. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025 During opening arguments in an L.A. courtroom on Jan. 9, prosecutors claimed Pearce gave the women a lethal mix of drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl and, in Giles’s case, the date-rape drug GHB, before dropping the women off, barely alive, with Osborn at separate L.A. hospitals. Kc Baker, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025 Brendan Paul, 25, was originally accused of transporting a wide array of drugs for Combs, including GHB, the common date-rape drug allegedly used against his victims. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024 Doe believes those drinks were spiked with GHB and Ecstasy, according to his lawsuit. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024 According to his complaint, per CNN, the man believes the drinks were laced with GHB and ecstasy. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 When co-host Grandmaison mentioned speculation based on recent civil lawsuits that the depressant drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (also known as GHB) could've been in the baby oil Combs is accused of using during freak-offs, Cannon pushed back. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of GHB was in 1963

Dictionary Entries Near GHB

Cite this Entry

“GHB.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/GHB. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

: a fatty acid C4H8O3 structurally similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid that is a depressant of the central nervous system, is used medically in the form of its sodium salt C4H7NaO3 especially to treat narcolepsy, is used illicitly in the form of one of several salts to produce sedative and euphoric effects, and is sometimes abused by athletes and body builders to stimulate the release of growth hormone although it has not been shown to increase muscle mass

called also gamma hydroxybutyrate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!