the hospital ward or clinic in which patients are detoxified
"After weeks in the detox, he was finally ready to leave the hospital and start his recovery at home."
Detoxification, especially of the body from alcohol or illegal, addictive drugs.
"After weeks in a rehabilitation center, he finally completed his detox and was ready to start rebuilding his life without substances."
In plain English: Detox is when your body gets rid of harmful stuff it doesn't need anymore.
"She went on vacation to do a complete detox from sugar and caffeine for her health."
Usage: While often used casually to describe any cleansing regimen, medically "detox" specifically refers to eliminating toxins from the body rather than general wellness practices. Avoid using it as a verb in formal writing; prefer "undergo detoxification" for professional contexts.
To detoxify, especially from alcohol or recreational drugs.
"After years of heavy drinking, he entered a rehabilitation center to completely detox and regain his health."
In plain English: To detox means to get rid of harmful substances from your body so you feel better again.
"After eating too much junk food, he decided to detox by drinking plenty of water and fresh juice."
Detox is a shortened form of the word detoxification that entered English as a convenient way to refer to the process of removing toxins from the body. It was first used in this clipped form in the late 19th century, evolving into a common noun for both medical procedures and lifestyle trends aimed at cleansing the system.