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

Fentanyl, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin, and other opioids killed more than 160,000 in the past two years alone, the CDC said. —Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024

From 2018 to 2022, Baltimore had nearly twice the rate of heroin and fentanyl fatalities of any similarly sized city, according to a report from the New York Times that found the city’s response to the crisis has been haphazard and ineffective. —Lauren Sheets Jarrell, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2024

Williams-Bey has been in federal custody since February 2017 and also is serving an 84-month federal sentence for distributing heroin and crack cocaine, authorities said in a statement. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2024

Consumed with self-loathing, Lee begins dabbling in heroin and cocaine, and becomes obsessed with the idea of taking ayahuasca. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 3 Sep. 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