opioid

American  

[oh-pee-oid] / ˈoʊ piˌɔɪd /

noun

Biochemistry, Pharmacology.

1. an opiate, or any similar synthetic compound: formerly referring only to the latter, but now the predominant term for both the opium-derived and synthetically produced substances.

   Illicit use of the synthetic opioid fentanyl is on the rise.

   The opium poppy is the source for all natural opioids.

2. any opiumlike substance.

   Have any opioids been detected in poppies that do not contain opium?

3. any of a group of natural substances, as the endorphins, produced by the body in increased amounts in response to stress and pain.

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adjective

1. pertaining to such a substance.

   opioid drugs such as heroin and oxycodone;

   opioid neuropeptides.

opioid British  

/ ˈəʊpɪˌɔɪd /

noun

1. 1. any of a group of substances that resemble morphine in their physiological or pharmacological effects, esp in their pain-relieving properties

   2. (modifier) of or relating to such substances

      opioid receptor

      opioid analgesic

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Etymology

Origin of opioid

First recorded in 1955–60; opi(um) + -oid

Example Sentences

The governor’s office credited a preliminary decrease in overdose deaths to the state’s effort to tackle the opioid crisis.

From Los Angeles Times

Journavx, the first of a new class of non-opioid pain medications that the agency has approved in two decades, could reduce opioid addictions and chronic pain.

From The Wall Street Journal

When she wakes up, she will regain consciousness more quickly and clearly because she required lower doses of anaesthetic drugs such as propofol and opioid painkillers than patients who heard no music.

From BBC

Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York marks the probable end of the longest and costliest corporate bankruptcy case stemming from the U.S. opioid crisis.

From The Wall Street Journal

"This could lead to more precise treatments for chronic pain that don't rely on opioids and work exactly where the brain expects pain relief to occur -- a huge step forward for pain management."

From Science Daily