heroin

[her-oh-in]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, narcotic powder, C 21 H 23 NO 5 , derived from morphine, formerly used as an analgesic and sedative: manufacture and importation of heroin are now controlled by federal law in the U.S. because of the danger of addiction.

heroin

/ ˈhɛrəʊɪn /

noun

1. Technical names: diamorphine.  diacetylmorphine. a white odourless bitter-tasting crystalline powder related to morphine: a highly addictive narcotic. Formula: C 21 H 23 NO 5

heroin

1. A white, odorless, bitter crystalline compound, C ₁₇ H ₁₇ NO(C ₂ H ₃ O ₂) ₂, that is derived from morphine and is a highly addictive narcotic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of heroin¹

1895–1900; formerly trademark; < German Heroin < Greek hērō-, stem of hḗrōs hero + German -in -in ²; allegedly so called from the feelings of power and euphoria which it stimulates

Word History and Origins

Origin of heroin¹

C19: coined in German as a trademark, probably from _hero , referring to its aggrandizing effect on the personality

Example Sentences

Opioids and opiates - such as heroin and methadone - were the biggest contributors to fatal overdoses in 2024.

From BBC

"These are the synthetic opioids that are 100 times stronger than your average hit of heroin, and they're also ending up in the coke supply."

From BBC

Menendez admitted to drinking alcohol and briefly using heroin at one point in prison, which he said he tried because he was “miserable” and feeling hopeless.

From Los Angeles Times

A decade on she says: "I think we're on the cusp of seeing heroin chic return."

From BBC

Mark McGivern's newspaper launched their "Shop-A-Dealer" campaign that encouraged readers to anonymously tip off the biggest heroin dealers in their schemes.

From BBC

Related Words

• dope 
• drug 
• narcotic 
• smack