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addiction

[ uh-dik-shuhn ]
/ əˈdɪk ʃən /
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See synonyms for addiction on Thesaurus.com
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.
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Origin of addiction

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

usage note for addiction

See addict.

OTHER WORDS FROM addiction

o·ver·ad·dic·tion, noun

Words nearby addiction

adder's-mouth, adder's-tongue, add fuel to the fire, addict, addicted, addiction, addictive, Addie, add-in, adding, adding machine
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

learn more about addiction

What’s Wrong With The Word “Addict”?The use of the word "addict" is a prime example of how language evolves as society and social awareness do. Why is it seen as stigmatizing now, and how do we use language to rectify that?
READ MORE
What’s Wrong With The Word “Addict”?The use of the word "addict" is a prime example of how language evolves as society and social awareness do. Why is it seen as stigmatizing now, and how do we use language to rectify that?
READ MORE

Words related to addiction

bag, bent, craving, dependence, enslavement, fixation, hang-up, hook, inclination, jones, kick, monkey on one's back, obsession, shot, thing, sweet tooth

How to use addiction in a sentence

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

Medical 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.

Scientific 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.
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