drug

 
Pronunciation: /drʌg/

noun

  • a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body: a new drug aimed at sufferers from Parkinson’s disease
  • a substance taken for its narcotic or stimulant effects, often illegally: a cocaine-based drug figurative mass adoration is a highly addictive drug

verb (drugs, drugging, drugged)

[with object]
  • administer a drug to (someone) in order to induce stupor or insensibility: they were drugged to keep them quiet
  • add a drug to (food or drink).
  • [no object] informal take illegally obtained drugs: she was convinced he was out drinking and drugging

Phrases

do drugs

informal take illegal drugs: people who don’t drink or smoke or do drugs

on drugs

taking medically prescribed drugs: on drugs for high blood pressure
under the influence of or habitually taking illegal drugs: all the criminals were on drugs

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French drogue, possibly from Middle Dutch droge vate, literally 'dry vats', referring to the contents (i.e. dry goods)