amphetamine

noun

am·​phet·​amine am-ˈfe-tə-ˌmēn How to pronounce amphetamine (audio)
-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 The Food and Drug Administration predicts that medical use of amphetamine, methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine to treat ADHD and other issues in the U.S. will climb 3.1% in 2024. Mark Strassmann, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024 In the past, there have been weight loss drugs that were essentially amphetamines, stimulant drugs that speed up messages between the brain and body, and that didn’t work out so well. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 1 Feb. 2024 Years after amphetamines were officially banned by Major League Baseball, players still subsist on coffee, Red Bull and other energy drinks. Rustin Dodd, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024 During this time, the singer struggled with the pressures of fame and developed an addiction to amphetamines. Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 19 Jan. 2024 Extremist groups like the Proud Boys allegedly lean toward alcohol and cocaine, while one MAGA rioter killed during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection was determined to have died of an amphetamine overdose. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2024 According to police, blood tests performed at Eden Medical Center turned up evidence Santos had used amphetamines, opiates, cannabis and ecstasy. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2024 On multiple nights, Wall did not go to sleep at all due to his abuse of amphetamines. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Jan. 2024 In Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, none of the 15 pills sold as Adderall in November contained either of the medication’s active ingredients, dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'amphetamine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amphetamine was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near amphetamine

Cite this Entry

“Amphetamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphetamine. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

amphetamine

noun
am·​phet·​amine am-ˈfet-ə-ˌmēn How to pronounce amphetamine (audio)
-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 How to pronounce amphetamine (audio) -mən How to pronounce amphetamine (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on amphetamine

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