heroin
noun
her·o·in
| \ ˈher-ə-wən
, ˈhe-rə-\
, ˈhe-rə-\
Definition of heroin
: 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
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Other Words from heroin
heroinism
\ ˈher-ə-wə-ˌni-zəm
, ˈhe-rə- \
noun
, ˈhe-rə- \
noun
Examples of heroin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 50 times stronger than heroin. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, "LAPD officers hospitalized after exposure to fentanyl in North Hollywood," 6 Sep. 2019 Experts largely blame the increase in overdose deaths on fentanyl, a synthetic opioid magnitudes more potent than heroin. — Phil Davis, baltimoresun.com, "Hogan administration awards nearly $10 million in grants to combat opioid crisis in Maryland," 30 Aug. 2019 The number of overdose deaths continues to increase in King County and across the state, largely driven by fentanyl, a powerful synthetic narcotic much more potent than heroin. — Ryan Blethen, Anchorage Daily News, "Anyone in Washington state can now obtain naloxone, the opioid overdose medication," 29 Aug. 2019 Fentanyl is 50 to 70 times more powerful than heroin... — Nick Givas, Fox News, "Pam Bondi: Fentanyl shipment from China, seized in Mexico, could have 'wiped out a small state'," 29 Aug. 2019 Fentanyl is considered many more times potent than heroin, which is one reason why it's tied to so many overdoses. — Cory Stieg, refinery29.com, "The Truth About The Fentanyl Scene In Euphoria," 25 June 2019 Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin, and proving increasingly popular with American drug users. — Sanya Mansoor, Time, "'Search For & Refuse All Deliveries.' Amid Trade War, Trump Urges USPS Crackdown on Fentanyl Trafficking From China," 24 Aug. 2019 Some victims had collapsed in public bathrooms and parks after shooting up or snorting drugs containing fentanyl, which can be 50 times stronger than heroin. — Annie Correal, New York Times, "‘She Was Like You and Me’: A Death and Life in the Bronx Opioid Crisis," 9 Aug. 2019 Fentanyl is about 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin. — Ben Westcott, CNN, "Beijing says US legalization of marijuana is a 'threat to China'," 17 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heroin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for heroin
heroin
noun
English Language Learners Definition of heroin
: a powerful illegal drug that is made from morphine
See the full definition for heroin in the English Language Learners Dictionary
heroin
noun
her·o·in
| \ ˈher-ə-wən
\
\
Kids Definition of heroin
: a very harmful illegal drug that is highly addictive and is made from morphine
heroin
noun
her·o·in
| \ ˈher-ə-wən
\
\
Medical Definition of heroin
: 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
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