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addiction
[ uh-dik-shuhn ]
/ ÉËdÉȘk ÊÉn /
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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
usage note for addiction
See addict.
OTHER WORDS FROM addiction
o·ver·ad·dic·tion, nounWords 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. 2023
How to use addiction in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for addiction
addiction
/ (ÉËdÉȘkÊÉn) /
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
[ É-dÄkâČshÉn ]
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 HeritageÂź Science Dictionary
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