Drug

¹

[droog]

noun

Zoroastrianism.

1. the cosmic principle of disorder and falsehood.

drug

²

[druhg]

verb

Nonstandard: Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.

1. a simple past tense and past participle of drag.

drug

³

[druhg]

noun

1. Pharmacology.,  a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being.

2. (in federal law)

   1. any substance recognized in the official pharmacopoeia or formulary of the nation.

   2. any substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans or other animals.

   3. any article, other than food, intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of humans or other animals.

   4. any substance intended for use as a component of such a drug, but not a device or a part of a device.

3. a habit-forming medicinal or illicit substance, especially a narcotic.

4. drugs,

   1. chemical substances prepared and sold as pharmaceutical items, either by prescription or over the counter.

   2. personal hygienic items sold in a drugstore, as toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.

5. Obsolete.,  any ingredient used in chemistry, pharmacy, dyeing, or the like.

verb (used with object)

drugged, drugging 

1. to administer a medicinal drug to.

2. to stupefy or poison with a drug.

3. to mix (food or drink) with a drug, especially a stupefying, narcotic, or poisonous drug.

4. to administer anything nauseous to.

verb phrase

1. drug up,  to take a drug, especially an illegal drug: athletes who drug up in the off-season.

   kids hiding under the school bleachers to drug up;

   athletes who drug up in the off-season.

drug

/ drʌɡ /

noun

1. any synthetic, semisynthetic, or natural chemical substance used in the treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of disease, or for other medical reasons

2. a chemical substance, esp a narcotic, taken for the pleasant effects it produces

3. a commodity available in excess of the demands of the market

verb

1. to mix a drug with (food, drink, etc)

2. to administer a drug to

3. to stupefy or poison with or as if with a drug

drug

1. A chemical substance, especially one prescribed by a medical provider, that is used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a condition or disease. Drugs are prescribed for a limited amount of time, as for an acute infection, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders, such as hypertension.

2. A chemical substance such as a narcotic or a hallucinogen that affects the central nervous system and is used recreationally for perceived desirable effects on personality, perception, or behavior. Many recreational drugs are used illicitly and can be addictive.

Other Word Forms

• druggy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Drug¹

From the Avestan word drauga

Origin of Drug²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English drogges (plural), from Middle French drogue, of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of Drug¹

C14: from Old French drogue, probably of Germanic origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. drug on the market, a commodity that is overabundant or in excess of demand in the market. Also drug in the market.

Example Sentences

A late-stage trial will start in early 2026 and, if approved, the drug would be launched near the end of the decade, the analysts say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For many Americans taking a weight-loss drug, Thanksgiving presents a conundrum: Take the weekly dose that staves off hunger, or push it off so they can feast?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Other patients taking the drugs might not see a direct savings, however, because they have fixed monthly copays.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The two Novartis drugs contain the same active ingredient, but at different concentrations.

Read more on Barron's

The Danish pharmaceutical company said Tuesday that patients on the drug, amycretin, showed weight loss of up to 14.5% after 36 weeks of treatment.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cure 
• medicine 
• narcotic 
• pharmaceutical 
• pill 
• poison 
• prescription 
• remedy 
• stimulant