plural drugs
1
a
: a substance used as a medication or in the preparation of medication
b
according to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(1)
: a substance recognized in an official pharmacopoeia or formulary (see formulary sense 3)
(2)
: a substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease
prescription drugs
drugs for treating high blood pressure
(3)
: a substance other than food intended to affect the structure or function of the body
(4)
: a substance intended for use as a component of a medicine but not a device or a component, part, or accessory of a device
2
: something and often an illegal substance that causes addiction, habituation (see habituation sense 2b), or a marked change in consciousness
keeping teens off drugs
heroin and other hard drugs
3
: a commodity that is not salable or for which there is no demand (see demand entry 1 sense 3a)
—used in the phrase drug on the market
4
obsolete
: a substance used in dyeing or chemical operations
drugged; drugging; drugs
1
: to affect (a person or animal) with a drug (see drug entry 1)
2
: to administer a drug to (a person or animal)
drugged against pain
3
: to lull or stupefy (someone) as if with a drug
… the kind of overly familiar music that delights most audiences and drugs most critics—
Time
Time4
: to add an illicit or intoxicating drug to (food or drink) usually surreptitiously
There's also very little violence in the movie. … The kidnapping is done by drugging the victim's drink.—Drew Zahn
Drew Zahn
: to take drugs especially for the intoxicating effect
drug
3 of 3dialectal past tense of drag entry 1
Synonyms
Examples of drug in a Sentence
Noun
a new drug used to treat people with high blood pressure
an experimental drug for the treatment of AIDS
Have you ever taken any illegal drugs?
I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs.
Verb
He looks like he's been drugged.
Someone could have drugged your drink.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024
According to the 2021 lawsuit, Walmart allegedly disposed of aerosols cans, spray paints, rust removers, bleach, pesticides and over-the-counter drugs in regular trash bins, which are not permitted to receive such waste products.
—Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
The eldest Seawater recalled the conversation in This Is the Zodiac Speaking, sharing that Allen admitted to drugging him and Connie in Riverside and molesting his younger sister.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for drug 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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Noun
In less than two years, the Fillmore East itself would close, and CSNY would implode due to personality conflicts, drugs, and the demands of their solo careers.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2024
According to the 2021 lawsuit, Walmart allegedly disposed of aerosols cans, spray paints, rust removers, bleach, pesticides and over-the-counter drugs in regular trash bins, which are not permitted to receive such waste products.
—Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
During their conversation, David recounted that Allen was crying and confessed to drugging him and molesting his sister, Connie.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
The eldest Seawater recalled the conversation in This Is the Zodiac Speaking, sharing that Allen admitted to drugging him and Connie in Riverside and molesting his younger sister.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for drug
Articles Related to drug
Dictionary Entries Near drug
Cite this Entry
“Drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drug. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
drug
1 of 2 noun1
: a substance used as a medicine or in making medicines
2
: something for which there is no demand
—used in the phrase drug on the market
3
: a usually illegal substance (as heroin, LSD, or cocaine) that affects bodily activities often in a harmful way and is taken for other than medical reasons
drug
2 of 2 verb
drugged; drugging
1
: to affect or treat with a drug
especially
: to make dull or numb by a narcotic drug
2
: to lull or make dull or numb as if with a drug
Medical Definition
drug
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a substance used as a medication or in the preparation of medication
b
according to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(1)
: a substance recognized in an official pharmacopoeia or formulary
(2)
: a substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease
(3)
: a substance other than food intended to affect the structure or function of the body
(4)
: a substance intended for use as a component of a medicine but not a device or a component, part, or accessory of a device
2
: something and often an illicit substance that causes addiction, habituation, or a marked change in consciousness
drug
2 of 2 verb
drugged; drugging
1
: to affect (a person or animal) with a drug (see drug entry 1)
especially
: to stupefy (someone) by an intoxicating drug
2
: to administer a drug to (a person or animal)
: to take drugs especially for the intoxicating effect
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