opioid

[oh-pee-oid]

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.

adjective

1. pertaining to such a substance.

   opioid drugs such as heroin and oxycodone;

   opioid neuropeptides.

opioid

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of opioid¹

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

Example Sentences

The series picked up the story of the working class family, who were grieving over the death of matriarch Roseanne Conner, who had overdosed on opioids.

From Los Angeles Times

More than 13,000 heroin and opioid deaths have been missed off official statistics in England and Wales, raising concerns about the impact on the government's approach to tackling addiction.

From BBC

The department also recommends carrying naloxone, which can reverse 7-OH toxicity as well as opioid overdoses.

From Los Angeles Times

In response, California started requiring campus health centers at most public colleges and universities to make the opioid overdose-reversing nasal spray Narcan available to students in campus residences.

From Los Angeles Times

Access to this drug, which can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, has also largely been on the rise.

From BBC