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 hyperactivity 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

Wildlife at times was used to barter for drugs, too—for example, abalone was traded for methamphetamine and sturgeon exchanged for heroin. —Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 21 Nov. 2025

Authorities say the operation hid the methamphetamine in boxes of jalapeños shipped across the Southern border. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025

Two men suspected of being part of an international wildlife smuggling ring were caught with 81 monkeys and methamphetamine in Thailand over the weekend near the country's border with Cambodia, authorities said. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 17 Nov. 2025

The Alameda County Coroner's Office later revealed that the actor died of an accidental overdose, discovering a mix of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and benzodiazepines in his system at the time of his death. —Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025

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 hyperactivity disorder and obesity and that is often abused illicitly as a stimulant

called also meth, methedrine, methylamphetamine, speed