addiction
noun
ad·dic·tion ə-ˈdik-shən 
a-
1
: a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence : the state of being addicted
alcohol addiction
an addiction to prescription painkillers
drug addictions
gambling addiction
2
: a strong inclination to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly
But those who know him well say he isn't driven by politics as much as his addiction to breaking news.
Amanda Ripley
Amanda RipleyIf we do not find the courage to kick our fossil fuel addiction and transition to clean energy, we will warm the atmosphere to the extent that areas typically covered in white all winter long could see only sporadic snow. Steven Nyman
Steven Nyman
Synonyms
- dependence
- dependance
- habit
- jones [slang]
- monkey
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He has a drug addiction. His life has been ruined by heroin addiction. He devotes his summers to his surfing addiction.
Recent Examples on the Web In 2018, amidst Panettiere's battle with addiction, the actress made the heartbreaking decision for Kaya to go live in Ukraine with boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko, Kaya's father, from whom Panettiere split that year. Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 Despite her son’s struggles with addiction, Sipes said Jordan was a devoted father to his two children and an outgoing and friendly person. Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2022 Vance chronicled his family’s battles with drug addiction in his bestselling memoir-turned-film and has vowed to prioritize the issue if elected. Henry J. Gomez, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2022 Colman Domingo won his first-ever Emmy statue for his moving performance on Euphoria as a recovering addict leading a teen girl (2x Emmy-winner Zendaya) through her struggles with addiction. Rivea Ruff, Essence, 5 Sep. 2022 Its goals: to support people struggling with addiction and to hold the Sacklers to the fire for Purdue’s ultra-aggressive and dishonest promotion of monstrously addictive opioids, at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2022 Many of the prosecutions resulted in lengthy prison sentences and life-altering consequences for mostly poor women who were struggling with addiction. Cary Aspinwall, al, 1 Sep. 2022 Many of the prosecutions resulted in lengthy prison sentences and life-altering consequences for mostly poor women who were struggling with addiction. Amy Yurkanin, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2022 Money from such a large case can help others who are struggling with addiction. Caleb Stultz, The Courier-Journal, 1 Sep. 2022 See More
Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 Despite her son’s struggles with addiction, Sipes said Jordan was a devoted father to his two children and an outgoing and friendly person. Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2022 Vance chronicled his family’s battles with drug addiction in his bestselling memoir-turned-film and has vowed to prioritize the issue if elected. Henry J. Gomez, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2022 Colman Domingo won his first-ever Emmy statue for his moving performance on Euphoria as a recovering addict leading a teen girl (2x Emmy-winner Zendaya) through her struggles with addiction. Rivea Ruff, Essence, 5 Sep. 2022 Its goals: to support people struggling with addiction and to hold the Sacklers to the fire for Purdue’s ultra-aggressive and dishonest promotion of monstrously addictive opioids, at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2022 Many of the prosecutions resulted in lengthy prison sentences and life-altering consequences for mostly poor women who were struggling with addiction. Cary Aspinwall, al, 1 Sep. 2022 Many of the prosecutions resulted in lengthy prison sentences and life-altering consequences for mostly poor women who were struggling with addiction. Amy Yurkanin, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2022 Money from such a large case can help others who are struggling with addiction. Caleb Stultz, The Courier-Journal, 1 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
earlier, "inclination, bent," in part derivative of addict entry 2, in part borrowed from Latin addictiōn-, addictiō "adjudging (of disputed property), assignment of a debtor to the custody of his creditor," from addīcere "to assign (property), hand over, give up to" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at addict entry 2
First Known Use
circa 1532, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Medical Definition
addiction
noun
ad·dic·tion ə-ˈdik-shən
: a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence : the state of being addicted
alcohol addiction
an addiction to prescription painkillers
drug addictions
gambling addiction/it}
Legal Definition
addiction
noun
ad·dic·tion ə-ˈdik-shən
: compulsive physiological need for a habit-forming drug (as heroin)
addiction
noun
as in dependence
a physiological need for certain drugs an addiction to heroin Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dependence
- habit
- dependance
- alcoholism
- tolerance
- monkey
- jones
- habituation
- morphinism
- heroinism
