gateway drug

American  

[geyt-wey druhg] / ˈgeɪt weɪ ˌdrʌg /

noun

1. any drug, as a stimulant or tranquilizer, whose use may lead to the use of more dangerous or addictive drugs such as heroin.

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gateway drug British  

noun

1. a recreational drug such as cannabis, the use of which is believed by some to encourage the user to try stronger drugs

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Etymology

Origin of gateway drug

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

But in fashion — using Vivienne Westwood as his gateway drug — Valencia found it all: history, politics, nature, curiosity and, ultimately, freedom.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2024

Maybe this is why representation matters: loving a fictional character is the gateway drug for cherishing the real people they represent.

From Salon • Oct. 10, 2021

“There will be many who say we are giving the Australians a gateway drug for a nuclear capability,’’ Narang said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 15, 2021

My gateway drug, in terms of finding better fiction to read, was Scott Spencer’s blessedly good 1979 novel “Endless Love.”

From New York Times • Feb. 8, 2018

As a gateway drug to initiate virgin viewers, all that box sets do is proclaim that the emperor has no clothes.

From Washington Post • Dec. 13, 2009