drugs

Noun (1)

drug (plural drugs)

1. A substance used to treat an illness, relieve a symptom, or modify a chemical process in the body for a specific purpose.
   • Aspirin is a drug that reduces pain, acts against inflammation and lowers body temperature.

   Synonyms:

   conservatory, medication, medicine, medicament, pharmaceutical, pharmaceutical drug

2. A psychoactive substance, especially one which is illegal and addictive, ingested for recreational use, such as cocaine.
   • We took drugs and partied all night.

   Synonyms:

   recreational drug, dope, gear, horse, stuff, substance

3. (broadly) Anything, such as a substance, emotion, or action, to which one is addicted.
   • Oh, get that buzz / Love is the drug / I'm thinking of1975, Bryan Ferry, Andy Mackay, “Love Is the Drug”, in Siren, performed by Roxy Music
4. Any commodity that lies on hand, or is not salable; an article of slow sale, or in no demand.
   • And virtue shall a drug become.1685, John Dryden, Albion and Albanius, published 1691

Noun (2)

drug (plural drugs)

1. (obsolete) A drudge.
   • Hadst thou, like us from our first swath, proceeded / The sweet degrees that this brief world affords / To such as may the passive drugs of it / Freely command, thou wouldst have plunged thyself / In general riotc. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...

See all 9 meanings of drug