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addiction

[ uh-dik-shuh n ]
/ əˈdɪk ʃən /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR addiction ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

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RELATED WORDS

shot, bent, bag, fixation, obsession, dependence, monkey, thing, enslavement, hang-up, hook, craving, kick, inclination, jones

Nearby words

  1. adder's-tongue,
  2. adderall,
  3. adderley,
  4. addict,
  5. addicted,
  6. addictive,
  7. addie,
  8. adding,
  9. adding machine,
  10. addington

Origin of addiction

1595–1605; < Latin addictiōn- (stem of addictiō) a giving over, surrender. See addict, -ion
Related formso·ver·ad·dic·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for addiction

British Dictionary definitions for addiction

addiction

/ (əˈdɪkʃən) /

noun

the condition of being abnormally dependent on some habit, esp compulsive dependency on narcotic drugs
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for addiction

addiction

n.

c.1600, "tendency," of habits, pursuits, etc.; 1640s as "state of being self-addicted," from Latin addictionem (nominative addictio) "an awarding, a devoting," noun of action from past participle stem of addicere (see addict). Earliest sense was less severe: "inclination, penchant," but this has become obsolete. In main modern sense it is first attested 1906, in reference to opium (there is an isolated instance from 1779, with reference to tobacco).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for addiction

addiction

[ ə-dĭk′shən ]

n.

Habitual psychological or physiological dependence on a substance or practice beyond one's voluntary control.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for addiction

addiction

[ ə-dĭk′shən ]

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. See more at withdrawal.
A habitual or compulsive involvement in an activity, such as gambling.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.