Heroin is a powerful drug which some people take for pleasure, but which they can become addicted to.
heroin in British English
(ˈhɛrəʊɪn)
noun
a white odourless bitter-tasting crystalline powder related to morphine: a highly addictive narcotic. Formula: C21H23NO5
Technical names: diamorphine, diacetylmorphine
Word origin
C19: coined in German as a trademark, probably from hero, referring to its aggrandizing effect on the personality
heroin in American English
(ˈhɛroʊɪn)
noun
a white, crystalline powder, an acetyl derivative of morphine, C17H17NO(C2H3O2)2: it is a very powerful, habit-forming narcotic whose manufacture and import are prohibited in the U.S.
Word origin
Ger, orig., trademark: coined (1898) by H. Dreser, Ger chemist < Gr hērōs, hero + Ger -in, -ine3: ? because of euphoric effect
Examples of 'heroin' in a sentence
heroin
Dealers are selling heroin and crack using anonymous mobile numbers and couriers.
The Sun (2017)
The couple had overdosed on heroin.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
As it happened, she had overdosed on heroin only a few months earlier.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Or,'So when did you become a heroin addict?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In the trailer she appears to be interviewing her old flame for a job and asks him:'Do you still take heroin?
The Sun (2017)
THREE men used a helicopter to smuggle heroin and cocaine worth 12million into Britain.
The Sun (2016)
This is the same circuit exploited by drugs such as heroin.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The pair admitted possessing crack and heroin with intent to supply.
The Sun (2015)
We are not talking about potentially lethal cocaine or heroin here.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The heroin substitute can help addicts control and beat their addiction.
The Sun (2014)
Sources said the prize for winning the fight was either heroin or prescription drugs.
The Sun (2009)
The cops are not after crack or heroin.
The Sun (2009)
Police are more interested in heroin and cocaine dealers.
The Sun (2015)
The former jockey had overdosed on heroin substitute methadone.
The Sun (2014)
Now you are dealing with crack cocaine and heroin.
The Sun (2011)
She also left bottles of the liquid heroin substitute methadone within his reach.
The Sun (2008)
Nobody becomes a casual heroin user.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He is said to have paid the men $1,000 for heroin and cocaine.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
A source said he had taken a packet of heroin and morphine he had obtained earlier in the day.
The Sun (2012)
It becomes the new heroin.
The Sun (2010)
I think she wanted to go home and... take heroin.
John Harris THE LAST PARTY: Britpop, Blair and the demise of English rock (2003)
The 21-year-old student died of a heroin overdose, an inquest jury decided.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The two British students who died after taking white heroin in Amsterdam have been named.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
She was only 11 when her mother died - of a heroin overdose.
The Sun (2010)
Well, they work, but you need to sort out why you take heroin.
John Harris THE LAST PARTY: Britpop, Blair and the demise of English rock (2003)
In other languages
heroin
British English: heroin /ˈhɛrəʊɪn/ NOUN
Heroin is a powerful addictive drug used to prevent pain. Some people take it for pleasure and it is illegal in most countries.
American English: heroin
Arabic: هِيرْوِين
Brazilian Portuguese: heroína droga
Chinese: 海洛因
Croatian: heroin
Czech: heroin
Danish: heroin
Dutch: heroïne
European Spanish: heroína droga
Finnish: heroiini
French: héroïne drogue
German: Heroin
Greek: ηρωίνη
Italian: eroina
Japanese: ヘロイン
Korean: 헤로인
Norwegian: heroin
Polish: heroina
European Portuguese: heroína droga
Romanian: heroină
Russian: героин
Latin American Spanish: heroína estupefaciente
Swedish: heroin
Thai: เฮโรอีน
Turkish: eroin
Ukrainian: героїн
Vietnamese: hêrôin
All related terms of 'heroin'
heroin chic
the perceived glamorization of heroin and the characteristics associated with heroin addicts , such as gauntness and hollow eyes
heroin user
a person who regularly takes the drug heroin , who may or may not be addicted to it
heroin addict
a person who is addicted to the drug heroin
heroin habit
A drug habit is an addiction to a drug such as heroin or cocaine .
heroin overdose
an excessive amount of the drug heroin , sufficient to cause illness or death