doping: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

No. While most commonly associated with sports, 'doping' is also a standard technical term in materials science and electronics for the intentional introduction of impurities into a semiconductor.

'Doping' specifically implies using a substance (often a drug) to gain an unfair advantage in a competition. 'Using drugs' is a broader term that can refer to recreational use, addiction, or medical treatment, without the element of competitive cheating.

Yes, the related verb is 'to dope' (e.g., 'He doped his horse'). The gerund/noun form is 'doping'. In the sports context, 'to dope' is almost always used reflexively or in the passive voice (e.g., 'He doped himself', 'He was doped').

It comes from the Afrikaans word 'dop', a type of cheap brandy, via the English slang 'dope' for a thick liquid or a stupid person. In the late 19th/early 20th century, 'dope' came to mean a narcotic or a preparation to affect performance (e.g., doping a racehorse), leading to the modern term.

The use of banned substances or methods to artificially enhance athletic performance.

Doping is usually formal, journalistic, technical in register.

Doping: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdəʊpɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdoʊpɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.