addiction
pronunciation
How to pronounce addiction in British English:
UK [əˈdɪkʃn]
How to pronounce addiction in American English:
US [əˈdɪkʃn]
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- Noun:
- being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)
- an abnormally strong craving
- (Roman law) a formal award by a court sentence of a thing or person to another (as of a debtor to his creditor); a surrender to a master
Word Origin
- addiction (n.)
- c. 1600, "tendency," of habits, pursuits, etc.; 1640s as "state of being self-addicted," from Latin addictionem (nominative addictio) "an awarding, a devoting," noun of action from past participle stem of addicere (see addict (v.)). Earliest sense was less severe: "inclination, penchant," but this has become obsolete. In main modern sense it is first attested 1906, in reference to opium (there is an isolated instance from 1779, with reference to tobacco).
Example
- 1. Addiction is such an incredibly complex and devastating disease .
- 2. To many , that alone is a symptom of addiction .
- 3. Can the west cure its addiction to cheap goods ?
- 4. But how to escape this spiral of addiction and despair ?
- 5. Food addiction is very common and sex addiction is very rare .