opioid

American  

[oh-pee-oid] / ˈoʊ piˌɔɪd /

noun

Biochemistry, Pharmacology.

• opioids
  plural

1. an opiate, or any similar synthetic compound: formerly referring only to the latter, but now the predominant term for both the opium-derived and synthetically produced substances.

   Illicit use of the synthetic opioid fentanyl is on the rise.

   The opium poppy is the source for all natural opioids.

2. any opiumlike substance.

   Have any opioids been detected in poppies that do not contain opium?

3. any of a group of natural substances, as the endorphins, produced by the body in increased amounts in response to stress and pain.

---

adjective

1. pertaining to such a substance.

   opioid drugs such as heroin and oxycodone;

   opioid neuropeptides.

opioid British  

/ ˈəʊpɪˌɔɪd /

noun

1. 1. any of a group of substances that resemble morphine in their physiological or pharmacological effects, esp in their pain-relieving properties

   2. (modifier) of or relating to such substances

      opioid receptor

      opioid analgesic

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• opioids
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of opioid

First recorded in 1955–60; opi(um) + -oid

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

opioid opioids

Action taken by federal officials is directed at “manufactured and concentrated opioid products, not traditional botanical kratom,” according to the news release.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026

They include a 2019 meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, with that state’s attorney general to discuss opioid litigation and a 2021 visit with unnamed U.S. senators in North Carolina.

From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026

In the past, courts have supplied this important backstop in other widespread policy challenges, such as the public health threats of tobacco use and the opioid epidemic, that lacked adequate legislative or regulatory responses.

From Slate ● Sep. 29, 2026

Despite those limitations, the researchers conclude, "Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher occurrence of moderate to severe postoperative pain and increased opioid consumption in patients undergoing unilateral modified radical mastectomy."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026

They narrowly voted to exclude emideltide, which has been considered for insomnia, narcolepsy and opioid withdrawal, with numerous other marketing claims including stress, pain and cancer.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

Kagan said that lawsuits aimed at damages from climate change are analogous to state lawsuits in the 1990s against tobacco companies and, more recently, state lawsuits alleging deceptive marketing of opioids.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

Blood concentrations of endogenous opioids increased after the program.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

The White House said the global exemption was being used to "evade tariffs and funnel deadly synthetic opioids" to the US.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

About two decades ago, Turner said, the healthcare industry started acknowledging the limits and risks of prescribing opioids for chronic pain.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026

Most significantly, the new plan removed a key provision that allowed victims to submit a sworn affidavit, in lieu of a prescription or other medical or legal records, to prove they purchased Purdue opioids.

From Salon ● Apr. 24, 2026

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---