Cocaine is a powerful drug which some people take for pleasure, but which they can become addicted to.
cocaine in British English
or cocain (kəˈkeɪn)
noun
an addictive narcotic drug derived from coca leaves or synthesized, used medicinally as a topical anaesthetic. Formula: C17H21NO4
Word origin
C19: from coca + -ine1
cocaine in American English
(koʊˈkeɪn; ˈkoʊˌkeɪn)
noun
a crystalline alkaloid, C17H21NO4, obtained from dried coca leaves: it was once much used in medicine and dentistry to lessen pain, but it is habit-forming when used as a stimulant
Word origin
coca + -ine3
Examples of 'cocaine' in a sentence
cocaine
His wife was a difficult woman who came to rely on alcohol and cocaine nasal spray.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Another is said to have bought cocaine and cannabis from a local dealer.
The Sun (2017)
Staff have been caught taking cocaine, cannabis and amphetamines.
The Sun (2016)
She was convicted of money laundering and conspiracy to supply amphetamines, cocaine and cannabis.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
THREE men used a helicopter to smuggle heroin and cocaine worth 12million into Britain.
The Sun (2016)
Why shouldn't I take cocaine?
The Sun (2016)
Her cocaine habit was out of control.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The virus is by no means the exclusive preserve of cocaine and other drug users.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
One kept confusing cannabis and cocaine and kept mixing up which youngsters were involved.
Cohen, Julian & Kay, James Taking Drugs Seriously (1994)
We are not talking about potentially lethal cocaine or heroin here.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In her last interview she talked about how much she liked to take cocaine at parties.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Experts claimed using a sunbed could be as addictive as alcohol or cocaine.
The Sun (2011)
He admitted that his output was affected by a growing cocaine habit.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He has previous convictions for possessing drugs from cannabis to cocaine as well as gun offences.
The Sun (2012)
Police are more interested in heroin and cocaine dealers.
The Sun (2015)
By then his career was on the up but a growing cocaine habit meant his personal life was going downhill.
The Sun (2014)
But drugs workers also report an increasing number of elderly folk dabbling in hard drugs such as cocaine for the first time.
The Sun (2015)
They then took marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy and did it again.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Only 10% of people who use cocaine become hooked.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
When the police arrived, he was charged with possessing cocaine.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
She was also thought to have been taking ecstasy, cocaine and marijuana.
The Sun (2010)
He was jailed for six months in May after admitting possessing cocaine.
The Sun (2011)
The mum of three first entered rehab in 1988 to battle alcohol and cocaine problems.
The Sun (2009)
More youngsters take it than get high on ecstasy, cocaine and ketamine combined.
The Sun (2014)
In 2010 he pleaded guilty to dealing crack cocaine and cannabis.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He is said to have paid the men $1,000 for heroin and cocaine.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He is also on bail after being arrested in October on suspicion of possessing cocaine.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The findings come a month after it emerged that up to a million people take cocaine in England and Wales.
The Sun (2009)
In other languages
cocaine
British English: cocaine /kəˈkeɪn/ NOUN
Cocaine is an addictive drug which people take for pleasure.