addiction

American  

[uh-dik-shuhn] / əˈdɪk ʃən /

noun

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 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

• overaddiction noun

Etymology

Origin of addiction

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

Example Sentences

And last week, Meta and Alphabet lost a landmark social-media addiction trial that could foreshadow more lawsuits.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

A new preclinical study has identified a gene therapy that directly targets pain-processing areas in the brain while avoiding the addiction risks linked to narcotic drugs.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

The top concerns in a survey of residents were homelessness and addiction, Horton said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Then, the hosts react to the surprising ruling on Meta and social media addiction.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2026

They had become an essential and energizing addiction, changing his expectations about the future and giving him the will to plan for it.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden