opioid

[ oh-pee-oid ]
/ ˈoʊ piˌɔɪd /

noun Biochemistry, Pharmacology.

any opiumlike substance.
any of a group of natural substances, as the endorphins, produced by the body in increased amounts in response to stress and pain.
any of several synthetic compounds, as methadone, having effects similar to natural opium alkaloids and their derivatives.

adjective

pertaining to such a substance.

Origin of opioid

First recorded in 1955–60; opi(um) + -oid

Words nearby opioid

opinion, opinion poll, opinionated, opinionative, opinioned, opioid, opioid epidemic, opiomelanocortin, opisthenar, opisthion, opistho-

Example sentences from the Web for opioid

British Dictionary definitions for opioid

opioid
/ (ˈəʊpɪˌɔɪd) /

noun

  1. any of a group of substances that resemble morphine in their physiological or pharmacological effects, esp in their pain-relieving properties
  2. (modifier) of or relating to such substancesopioid receptor; opioid analgesic

Medical definitions for opioid

opioid
[ ō′pē-oid′ ]

n.

opiate

adj.

Opiate.

Other words from opioid

o′pi•oid′ adj.