ketamine

noun

ke·​ta·​mine ˈke-tə-ˌmēn  ˈkē- 

: a general anesthetic that is administered intravenously and intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₃H₁₆ClNO·HCl and that is used illicitly usually by being inhaled in powdered form especially for the dreamlike or hallucinogenic state it produces

Note: Ketamine is also called Special K when used as a recreational drug

Examples of ketamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship. —Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026

Months after his death, the Washington Post reported Irsay had relapsed and overdosed multiple times in the last five years, and was being treated by Haroutunian, who allegedly prescribed him opioids and ketamine. —Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

An alleged getaway driver with Chacon, 28-year-old Gerdenson Rodolfo Rodriguez-Ordonez, was also arrested and charged with accessory after the fact, possessing cocaine with intent to sell, possessing ketamine with intent to sell and possessing marijuana with intent to sell. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026

The final resting place of the actor, who died of a ketamine overdose in 2023, was previously unmarked. —Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

ket(one) + amine

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ketamine

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Medical Definition

ketamine

noun

ke·​ta·​mine ˈkēt-ə-ˌmēn 

: a general anesthetic that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₃H₁₆ClNO·HCl and that is used illicitly usually by being inhaled in powdered form especially for the dreamlike or hallucinogenic state it produces see special k