Dictionary.com

addiction

[ uh-dik-shuhn ]
/ əˈdÉȘk ʃən /
Save This Word!

noun
the state of being compulsively committed 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.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of addiction

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin addictiƍn- (stem of addictiƍ ) “a giving over, surrender”; see addict, -ion

usage note for addiction

See addict.

OTHER WORDS FROM addiction

o·ver·ad·dic·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use addiction in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for addiction

addiction
/ (əˈdÉȘkʃən) /

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

Scientific definitions for addiction

addiction
[ ə-dÄ­kâ€Čshən ]

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 HeritageŸ Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK