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
Examples of heroin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Inside the traps were more than 11 kilograms of drugs, including fentanyl and heroin, as well as tools used to brand, package, distribute and traffic narcotics, the indictment said.
—
Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
Withdrawal symptoms start within a few hours of withdrawal from short-acting opioids (like heroin or oxycodone) and a few days from long-acting opioids.
—Josephine Hessert, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
Production of methamphetamine in the region has also surged in recent years, outpacing heroin and opium.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN, 19 Oct. 2024
But when someone takes too much OxyContin or heroin or fentanyl, the drugs bash into so many neurons and attach to so many receptors that all sorts of signals can end up blocked, including breathing.
—Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heroin 
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.
Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
Withdrawal symptoms start within a few hours of withdrawal from short-acting opioids (like heroin or oxycodone) and a few days from long-acting opioids.
—Josephine Hessert, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
Production of methamphetamine in the region has also surged in recent years, outpacing heroin and opium.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN, 19 Oct. 2024
But when someone takes too much OxyContin or heroin or fentanyl, the drugs bash into so many neurons and attach to so many receptors that all sorts of signals can end up blocked, including breathing.
—Blake Nelson, The Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heroin
Dictionary Entries Near heroin
Cite this Entry
“Heroin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heroin. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share