- a condition in which dependence on alcohol harms a person's health, social functioning, or family life
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
al•co•hol•ism /ˈælkəhɔˌlɪzəm, -hɑ-/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Psychiatrya chronic disorder marked by acute dependence on alcohol, physical degeneration, and difficulty in functioning in society.
al•co•hol•ism
(al′kə hô liz′əm, -ho-),USA pronunciation n. [Pathol.]
- Pathologya chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages, the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake, morbidity that may include cirrhosis of the liver, and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally. Cf. alcoholic psychosis.
- alcohol + -ism 1855–60
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
alcoholism /ˈælkəhɒˌlɪzəm/ n
'alcoholism' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):