amphetamine

noun

am·​phet·​amine am-ˈfe-tə-ˌmēn 

-mən

: a racemic compound C₉H₁₃N or one of its derivatives (such as dextroamphetamine or methamphetamine) that is a stimulant of the central nervous system, is often abused illicitly, and is used clinically especially in the form of its sulfate C₉H₁₃N·H₂SO₄ to treat attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy and formerly as a short-term appetite suppressant

Examples of amphetamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most act on brain-signaling chemicals — neurotransmitters — to reduce appetite, an approach pioneered in the 1960s with the use of amphetamines that has continued to today with safer derivatives and some other, nonamphetamine, drugs. —Matías A. Loewy, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2024

Marijuana is also celebrated, while a long history of amphetamine and cocaine use is alternately winked at or swept under the rug, the necessary evils of a grueling career. —Jeff Gage, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2024

Related article The mosquito era: As the world warms, these insects are thriving — and bringing disease Zombie cicadas stimulated by an amphetamine? —Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

The drug, a mix of amphetamines and caffeine, has become especially popular in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where laborers and partiers use it to stave off hunger and sleep. —Vanda Felbab-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2024

Some Ukrainian and Russian soldiers are known to consume amphetamines, but Perun enforced a strict prohibition against drugs and alcohol while the battalion was deployed. —Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024

If a person, dog or cat were to eat an infected cicada, they wouldn’t be affected by the amphetamines in it — the dose is too small. —Kate Golembiewski, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

Musselman is the new blood USC needs, the antagonist UCLA needs, the competition Arizona and Gonzaga need and the amphetamine everyone needs. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2024

Advertisement Musselman is the new blood USC needs, the antagonist UCLA needs, the competition Arizona and Gonzaga need and the amphetamine everyone needs. —Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

a(lpha) entry 2 + m(ethyl) + phe(n-) + et(hyl) + amine

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

amphetamine

noun

am·​phet·​amine am-ˈfet-ə-ˌmēn 

-mən

: a compound or one made from it used medically to increase the activity of the central nervous system but often abused for its stimulant effects

Medical Definition

amphetamine

noun

am·​phet·​amine am-ˈfet-ə-ˌmēn  -mən 

: a racemic sympathomimetic amine C₉H₁₃N or one of its derivatives (as dextroamphetamine or methamphetamine) that is a stimulant of the central nervous system, is frequently abused illicitly often leading to dependence, and is used clinically especially in the form of its sulfate C₉H₁₃N·H₂SO₄ to treat attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy and formerly as a short-term appetite suppressant see adderall