gateway drug
noun
any drug, as a stimulant or tranquilizer, whose use may lead to the use of more dangerous or addictive drugs such as heroin.
gateway drugs
-
pluralof gateway drug.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hawks and falcons are what conservationists call charismatic megafauna: large, easily recognizable animals that serve as gateway drugs for interest in nature.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2022
These were gateway drugs to the true crime genre for many fans who might otherwise never have discovered their taste for it.
From Slate ● Aug. 26, 2019
Like most people, The X-Files and Lost were my original gateway drugs into the world of overanalyzing television shows, of endless mysteries, internet theorizing, and enthusiastic message boards.
From Slate ● Dec. 21, 2016
