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drug

Pronunciation: /drʌg/

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Definition of drug

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 figurativemass 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)

drug in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of drug in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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