methamphetamine

noun

meth·​am·​phet·​amine ˌme-tham-ˈfe-tə-ˌmēn 

-thəm-,

-mən

: a synthetic or semisynthetic compound C₁₀H₁₅N that stimulates the central nervous system, is used medically in the form of its crystalline hydrochloride C₁₀H₁₅N·HCl especially to treat attention deficit disorder and obesity, and that is often abused illicitly for its stimulant properties

… methamphetamine is a powerful addictive stimulant whose longtime consumers tend to suffer from paranoia, depression, hallucinations, and violent rages.

—William Finnegan

called also meth, methedrine, speed

compare crystal meth

Examples of methamphetamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stimulants like methamphetamine contribute to dehydration, which can be fatal. —CBS News, 6 July 2024

The investigation so far has yielded $5 million in cash, more than 300 pounds of cocaine, 92 pounds of methamphetamine, 3,000 pills of Ecstasy, and 44 pounds of magic mushrooms. —Byamanda Gerut, Fortune, 19 June 2024

At the time of the incident, Sweet was on bond for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon as well as possession of methamphetamine, the sheriff’s office said per Fox News. —Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 13 June 2024

Police have said officers arrested her on a $5,000 misdemeanor warrant that accused her of methamphetamine possession. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing methamphetamine

• crystal methamphetamine

Kids Definition

methamphetamine

noun

meth·​am·​phet·​amine ˌmeth-am-ˈfet-ə-ˌmēn 

: a drug derived from amphetamine that is often used illegally as a stimulant of the central nervous system

Medical Definition

methamphetamine

noun

meth·​am·​phet·​amine ˌmeth-am-ˈfet-ə-ˌmēn, ˌmeth-əm-, -mən 

: an amine C₁₀H₁₅N that is used medically in the form of its crystalline hydrochloride C₁₀H₁₅N·HCl especially to treat attention deficit disorder and obesity and that is often abused illicitly as a stimulant

called also meth, methedrine, methylamphetamine, speed