addiction

American  

[uh-dik-shuhn] / əˈdɪk ʃən /

noun

addictions plural

1. 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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addiction British  

/ əˈdɪkʃən /

noun

1. the condition of being abnormally dependent on some habit, esp compulsive dependency on narcotic drugs

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addiction Scientific  

/ ə-dĭk′shən /

1. 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.

2. See more at withdrawal

3. A habitual or compulsive involvement in an activity, such as gambling.

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Sensitive Note

See addict.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overaddiction
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• addictions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of addiction

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

Explanation

An addiction is an abnormally strong craving for something, which can sometimes grow so strong you have trouble living without it. People will sometimes use the word addiction casually, like, "I have a major addiction to chocolate! Yummy!" But the word's true meaning is more serious, and refers to something that isn't so yummy, like an alcohol or drug addiction. When someone has an addiction to smoking, for example, they might not be able to stop smoking even if it causes them to get sick.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

addiction addictions

The council said it was committed to making Belfast "the best it can be" and to tackling the challenges around homelessness, addiction and anti-social behaviour.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

Although none of the participants had a diagnosed mental health condition, the findings may offer clues about why psilocybin has shown therapeutic potential for depression, anxiety, and addiction.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

IRS special agent Chris Seymour gave Thompson the first interview of his career, and what he and prosecutors say about Mizuhara’s motive goes beyond the narrative that he had a gambling addiction.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

Talk of dopamine and digital addiction is mostly rhetoric dressed as neuroscience.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

Maybe, he thought, technology creates more of a compulsion than an addiction.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Mr. Pratt has recorded cute social-media videos with dogs, promising to overhaul the city’s dysfunctional shelter system and to require vagrants to get treatment for mental health illnesses and addictions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 24, 2026

At University College London, neuroscientist Dr Ravi Das has been trying to understand why some habits harden into addictions while others fade away.

From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2026

For people with compulsive disorders, addictions, or anxiety, these learned associations can become overly powerful.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 26, 2025

L’Belle-Tividad believes everyone has innate intuitive ability, but that the realities of contemporary life — a 9-to-5 job, screen addictions, long commutes — have dulled our senses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025

They would file around the table, presenting their deficiencies, telling of their addictions, their cheating hearts.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides