noun
alcoholism
AL-kuh-ho-lih-zuhm
noun
1
A chronic condition caused by compulsive drinking, leading to physical dependence and damage to health and daily life.
"Alcoholism runs in his family."
"The clinic specializes in treating alcoholism and other addictions."
How to Use Alcoholism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe medical term for addiction to alcohol.
Common pairings
battle alcoholism
chronic alcoholism
treatment for alcoholism
Word Forms
alcoholisms plural
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_____ runs in his family.
Etymology
From "alcohol" plus "-ism"; the term was coined in 1849 by the Swedish physician Magnus Huss.