opium Definition
- 1a reddish-brown heavy-scented addictive drug prepared from the juice of the opium poppy, used as a narcotic and analgesic and in medicine as a hypnotic and sedative
- 2the dried juice of the opium poppy, containing alkaloids such as morphine and codeine
Using opium: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "opium" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The use of opium is illegal in many countries.
Example
Opium was widely used for medicinal purposes in the past.
Example
The patient was given opium to relieve his pain.
opium Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with opium
Example
He was caught smoking opium in his room.
a place where opium is smoked, especially an establishment or dwelling used for this purpose in Southeast Asia
Example
The police raided an opium den in the city center.
two wars in the mid-19th century involving China and Western powers, primarily Britain, over the British trade in opium with China
Example
The Opium Wars led to the opening of China to foreign trade.
Summary: opium in Brief
Opium [ˈəʊpiəm] is a heavy-scented, reddish-brown drug derived from the opium poppy. It is highly addictive and used as a narcotic, analgesic, hypnotic, and sedative. Opium contains alkaloids like morphine and codeine and is illegal in many countries. Phrases like 'smoking opium' and 'opium den' refer to places and methods of using opium.