detox

noun

de·​tox ˈdē-ˌtäks How to pronounce detox (audio)
di-ˈtäks
often attributive
1
: detoxification from an intoxicating or addictive substance
a detox clinic
2
: a program or facility for assisting a person undergoing detoxification from an intoxicating or addictive substance
spent one week in detox
3
: a regimen or treatment intended to remove toxins and impurities from the body
A well-designed detox can help purge your liver, colon, and kidneys of toxins; clear your skin; boost your energy; and help you safely shed pounds.—Lisa Turner
detox verb

Examples of detox in a Sentence

He spent one week in detox. The famous writer recently went into detox. She has been through two detoxes in the past year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tread lightly, though, and be sure to follow with a nourishing hair mask or conditioner on detox days to keep your fragile hair from drying out further. — Sarah Madaus, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026 Increasingly, schools are outlawing mobile phones — as Maryland did in May of this year — and digital detox retreats are rising in popularity. — Thu T. Nguyen, Baltimore Sun, 27 Aug. 2026 Claims about detox, immunity boosts, anti-aging and weight management draw much more skepticism from doctors. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 Claims that on-demand IV cocktails deliver detox, immunity boosts, anti-aging effects or weight management draw more skepticism from clinicians. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detox

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detox was in 1973

Rhymes for detox

See All Rhymes for detox

Browse Nearby Words

detour
detox
detoxicate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detox. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

detox

1 of 2 noun
de·​tox (ˈ)dē-ˈtäks How to pronounce detox (audio)
1
a
: detoxification from an intoxicating or addictive substance
a unit providing detox for adolescents
—often used before another noun
a detox clinic
b
: a detox program or facility
There are city officials who are scrambling to see if they can extend the average stays in a detox.—Peter Gelzinis, The Boston Herald
2
: a regimen or treatment to remove toxins and impurities from the body
A well-designed detox can help purge your liver, colon, and kidneys of toxins; clear your skin; boost your energy; and help you safely shed pounds.—Lisa Turner, Better Nutrition

detox

2 of 2 intransitive verb
: to subject oneself to or to undergo detoxification : detoxify
Safely detoxing requires a 10- to 15-day hospital stay, medical experts say.—Luke Cyphers, ESPN

transitive verb

: to remove a harmful or intoxicating substance from (someone or something) : detoxify
Most heroin addicts have been detoxed hundreds of times.—Susan Reed, People Weekly
also : to remove impurities from
Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C as well as phytonutrients, compounds that naturally detox the body. —Redbook
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All