addiction

noun

ad·​dic·​tion ə-ˈdik-shən 

a-

1

: a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence : the state of being addicted

alcohol addiction

an addiction to prescription painkillers

drug addictions

gambling addiction

2

: a strong inclination to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly

But those who know him well say he isn't driven by politics as much as his addiction to breaking news.

—Amanda Ripley

If we do not find the courage to kick our fossil fuel addiction and transition to clean energy, we will warm the atmosphere to the extent that areas typically covered in white all winter long could see only sporadic snow.

—Steven Nyman

Synonyms

• dependence
• dependance
• habit
• jones [slang]
• monkey

Examples of addiction in a Sentence

He has a drug addiction.

His life has been ruined by heroin addiction.

He devotes his summers to his surfing addiction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Australian fitness influencer Jaxon Tippet, who built a sizable following with online content focused on exercise and personal motivation while also candidly discussing his past addiction to steroids, reportedly died Sunday in Turkey. —Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024

Yet as his opioid addiction escalated, the once-inseparable siblings drifted apart. —Sylvan Lebrun, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2024

Prosecutors accused Moore of robbing the store to fund his crack addiction. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024

IndieWire’s Editor-in-Chief, Dana Harris-Bridson, went on to ask Baker about his addiction to opioids during his 20s and how that may have inspired his interest in these communities. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "inclination, bent," in part derivative of addict entry 2, in part borrowed from Latin addictiōn-, addictiō "adjudging (of disputed property), assignment of a debtor to the custody of his creditor," from addīcere "to assign (property), hand over, give up to" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at addict entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1532, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

addiction

noun

ad·​dic·​tion ə-ˈdik-shən 

a-

: the quality or state of being addicted

especially : uncontrollable use of habit-forming drugs

Medical Definition

addiction

noun

ad·​dic·​tion ə-ˈdik-shən 

: a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence : the state of being addicted

alcohol addiction

an addiction to prescription painkillers

drug addictions

gambling addiction

Legal Definition

addiction

noun

ad·​dic·​tion ə-ˈdik-shən 

: compulsive physiological need for a habit-forming drug (as heroin)