addiction
Americannoun
noun
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A physical or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, such as a drug or alcohol. In physical addiction, the body adapts to the substance being used and gradually requires increased amounts to reproduce the effects originally produced by smaller doses.
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See more at withdrawal
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A habitual or compulsive involvement in an activity, such as gambling.
Sensitive Note
See addict.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of addiction
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin addictiōn- (stem of addictiō ) “a giving over, surrender”; see addict, -ion
Explanation
An addiction is an abnormally strong craving for something, which can sometimes grow so strong you have trouble living without it. People will sometimes use the word addiction casually, like, "I have a major addiction to chocolate! Yummy!" But the word's true meaning is more serious, and refers to something that isn't so yummy, like an alcohol or drug addiction. When someone has an addiction to smoking, for example, they might not be able to stop smoking even if it causes them to get sick.
Vocabulary lists containing addiction
You Can Say That Again: Dic and Dict
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Psychological Conditions and Disorders
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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, extended by the Affordable Care Act in 2010, required health plans to cover mental-health services at parity with medical and surgical care.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026
"Addiction is a disease in the same sense as cancer," said senior author A.J.
From Science Daily • Mar. 6, 2026
The suspended rules were meant to strengthen enforcement of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
From Salon • Aug. 19, 2025
He has since performed as a member of Jane’s Addiction and Pearl Jam.
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2025
Jesse took another phone call, still playing Quake, as Joni Mitchell gave way to Jane’s Addiction, then the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
