: a semisynthetic illicit organic compound C20H25N3O derived from ergot that induces extreme sensory distortions, altered perceptions of reality, and intense emotional states, that may also produce delusions or paranoia, and that may sometimes cause panic reactions in response to the effects experienced

called also lysergic acid diethylamide

Examples of LSD in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In total, authorities seized 11 guns and more than one kilo of methamphetamine, 200 pounds of the hallucinogenic drug DMT, five pounds of marijuana, 15 kilos of hashish and hashish oil, one kilo of MDMA or ecstasy, 19,000 doses of LSD, as well as other drugs including fentanyl and cocaine. Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 25 Sep. 2024 Since the 1990s there has been a steady revival of human psychedelic research including reports of the first modern brain studies with the usage of LSD and several clinical trials of psilocybin. Photovogue, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2024 John Markoff, a tech journalist, explained to Vox that Silicon Valley came into existence when drugs like LSD were first being used to explore creative or religious pursuits. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2024 The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 lumped LSD and psilocybin with heroin and cocaine, effectively shutting down legitimate research. Milan Kordestani, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for LSD 

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

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German, from Lysergsäure-Diäthylamid "lysergic acid diethylamide"

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of LSD was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near LSD

Cite this Entry

“LSD.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/LSD. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

: an illegal drug that causes abnormal sensations, extreme and changeable states of emotion, unnatural changes in the way time and space are experienced, and hallucinations and that may sometimes cause panic in response to the effects experienced

Medical Definition

: a semisynthetic illicit organic compound C20H25N3O derived from ergot that induces extreme sensory distortions, altered perceptions of reality, and intense emotional states, that may also produce delusions or paranoia, and that may sometimes cause panic reactions in response to the effects experienced

called also acid, lysergic acid diethylamide, lysergide

More from Merriam-Webster on LSD

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