heroin

American  

[her-oh-in] / ˈhɛr oʊ ɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a white, crystalline, narcotic powder, C 21 H 23 NO 5 , derived from morphine, formerly used as an analgesic and sedative: manufacture and importation of heroin are now controlled by federal law in the U.S. because of the danger of addiction.

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heroin British  

/ ˈhɛrəʊɪn /

noun

1. Technical names: diamorphine, diacetylmorphine. a white odourless bitter-tasting crystalline powder related to morphine: a highly addictive narcotic. Formula: C 21 H 23 NO 5

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heroin Scientific  

/ hĕr′ō-ĭn /

1. A white, odorless, bitter crystalline compound, C ₁₇ H ₁₇ NO(C ₂ H ₃ O ₂) ₂, that is derived from morphine and is a highly addictive narcotic.

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Etymology

Origin of heroin

1895–1900; formerly trademark; < German Heroin < Greek hērō-, stem of hḗrōs hero + German -in -in ²; allegedly so called from the feelings of power and euphoria which it stimulates

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heroin

In the following years, she fought for controlled heroin programmes and against the death penalty and world hunger.

From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026

Janda's laboratory has previously developed vaccine candidates targeting both fentanyl and heroin.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 13, 2026

Fashion journalist and consultant Victoria Moss does not think we are facing "heroin chic" but instead connects the trend to the rise of weight loss injections.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2025

They would grow to dominate not just the lucrative production of heroin and crystal meth, but the mineral and gold mines dotted around the state, as well as the avocado and lime industries.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2023

The cops grouped the boys together, lined them up against a fence, and demanded to know which of them had jettisoned the bag, which later turned out to be filled with quinine, not heroin.

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride

Related Words

• dope
• drug
• narcotic
• smack