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

The limestone five-bed, five-bath is a short walk to Central Park, but the interiors are decidedly Versailles on amphetamines. —Curbed, 12 Sep. 2023

In mid-October 2022 the FDA announced a shortage of mixed amphetamine salts, more commonly known as Adderall, a stimulant drug commonly used to treat ADHD. —Mikhal Weiner, Parents, 27 Oct. 2023

Adderall, the amphetamine that’s given to kids for ADHD. —Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023

Jordan’s armed forces routinely shoot down drones flying in from Syria and carrying amphetamines. —Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 29 Sep. 2023

Indeed, haloperidol and olanzapine countered the amphetamine’s effect on D2, as expected. —WIRED, 7 Aug. 2023

But in 2022, the manufacturers of amphetamine medications produced about 1 billion fewer doses than they were permitted to make, according to government records. —Christina Caron, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023

Inside the Jeep, police found 40 amphetamine pills, a schedule II drug. —cleveland, 11 Sep. 2023

Emergency department visits related to amphetamines rose nearly 50 percent in two years, from 2018 to 2020, the analysis found. —Soumya Karlamangla, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Aug. 2023

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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