gateway drug
noun
: a drug (such as alcohol or marijuana) whose use is thought to lead to the use of and dependence on a harder drug (such as cocaine or heroin)
Examples of gateway drug in a Sentence
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Fantasy leagues were a gateway drug for people who liked their sports with a heavy dose of statistical analysis.
—
Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2024
In some cases, the flame emoji is the gateway drug to cheating.
—Olivia Petter, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2024
My gateway drug was a set reminiscent of an ice cream truck.
—Abby Margolis Newman, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024
Ran watch on prime video Rear Window Year: 1954
Runtime: 1h 52m
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Rear Window is the gateway drug for young people learning about the Master of Suspense.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for gateway drug 
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Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2024
In some cases, the flame emoji is the gateway drug to cheating.
—Olivia Petter, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2024
My gateway drug was a set reminiscent of an ice cream truck.
—Abby Margolis Newman, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024
Ran watch on prime video Rear Window Year: 1954
Runtime: 1h 52m
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Rear Window is the gateway drug for young people learning about the Master of Suspense.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for gateway drug
Dictionary Entries Near gateway drug
Cite this Entry
“Gateway drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gateway%20drug. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
gateway drug
noun
gate·way drug
ˈgāt-ˌwā- 
: a drug (such as alcohol or marijuana) whose use is thought to lead to the use of and dependence on more dangerous, addicting substances (such as cocaine or heroin)
To end at the beginning, nicotine … is now considered a "gateway drug," as it commonly precedes and is comorbid with other substance use.—Donald A. Henderson, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Donald A. Henderson, The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
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