methamphetamine

noun meth·am·phet·amine \ ˌme-tham-ˈfe-tə-ˌmēn , -thəm- , -mən \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Definition of methamphetamine

: 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

See methamphetamine defined for kids

Recent Examples of methamphetamine from the Web

He was also convicted on a possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute charge in Cobb County.

— raisa habersham, ajc, "Cherokee County inmate dies hours after arrest," 13 July 2018
Charges include sale and possession of drugs including cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.

— jerry fallstrom, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Mount Dora police, Lake deputies bust 14 street-level drug dealers," 6 June 2018
Police confiscated drugs and weapons as a result of an 11 month investigation, including cocaine, methamphetamine and eight guns, police said on Facebook.

— linda girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "14 people charged with 71 felonies in Aurora after yearlong drug, gun investigation — 3 still at large," 2 June 2018
In addition to stimulants like Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvanse, and Concerta, Schedule II drugs include cocaine, methamphetamine, Demerol, and OxyContin.

— ryan d'agostino, Esquire, "The Drugging of the American Boy," 27 Mar. 2014
The two went into Ball’s bedroom for about 15 minutes, at which time the witness assumed Ball was selling Baumgardt methamphetamine, according to court documents.

— holly v. hays, Indianapolis Star, "Authorities charge 2 more men in death of Boone County Deputy Jacob Pickett," 11 July 2018
Eventually, Celena was arrested for intent to distribute methamphetamines and sentenced to drug court, a treatment plan overseen by a judge, and community service — cleaning a high school for free every day for a year and a half.

— tracy saelinger, Woman's Day, "These 3 Companies Help At-Risk Women and Are Changing the World," 2 July 2018
Barry is the kind of folk singer who writes about jumping trains and snorting methamphetamine.

— john adamian, courant.com, "From Sam Hunt And Reba To U2 And King X: A Week Of Big-Name Concerts," 23 June 2018
In addition to the marijuana, police also found methamphetamine inside the home as well as drug paraphernalia and $1,000 in cash.

— marie simoneaux, NOLA.com, "Two arrested after 19 pounds of marijuana mailed to Hammond home: TPSO," 7 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'methamphetamine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of methamphetamine

1949

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

methamphetamine

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

medical Definition of methamphetamine

: 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