methamphetamine

noun

meth·​am·​phet·​amine ˌme-tham-ˈfe-tə-ˌmēn 

-thəm-,

-mən

: a synthetic or semisynthetic compound C₁₀H₁₅N that stimulates the central nervous system, is used medically in the form of its crystalline hydrochloride C₁₀H₁₅N·HCl especially to treat attention deficit disorder and obesity, and that is often abused illicitly for its stimulant properties

… methamphetamine is a powerful addictive stimulant whose longtime consumers tend to suffer from paranoia, depression, hallucinations, and violent rages.

—William Finnegan

called also meth, methedrine, speed

compare crystal meth

Examples of methamphetamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rudd was convicted of two drug offenses in March — including the possession of methamphetamine — and was on a year’s supervised release, according to the Kentucky Department of Corrections. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 7 June 2024

On June 30, 2021, agents seized two pounds of methamphetamine and a slew of ghost guns and ammunition, according to court records. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

But one vehicle allegedly sent by the trafficking group — prosecutors said it was inspected after its license plate set off an alert that George couldn’t override without raising suspicion — contained 223 pounds of methamphetamine and 13 pounds of fentanyl. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2024

The arrest report says on Feb. 29, police found 4.1 grams of methamphetamine in a sandwich bag in Gunn’s car after stopping her for making a right turn out of the left turn lane when leaving a Walmart. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing methamphetamine

• crystal methamphetamine

Kids Definition

methamphetamine

noun

meth·​am·​phet·​amine ˌmeth-am-ˈfet-ə-ˌmēn 

: a drug derived from amphetamine that is often used illegally as a stimulant of the central nervous system

Medical Definition

methamphetamine

noun

meth·​am·​phet·​amine ˌmeth-am-ˈfet-ə-ˌmēn, ˌmeth-əm-, -mən 

: an amine C₁₀H₁₅N that is used medically in the form of its crystalline hydrochloride C₁₀H₁₅N·HCl especially to treat attention deficit disorder and obesity and that is often abused illicitly as a stimulant

called also meth, methedrine, methylamphetamine, speed