methamphetamine

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

|Updated on: 12 Jun 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

The officer also found a scale contaminated with methamphetamine, the prosecutors said.

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "Man shot in leg in Algiers: NOPD," 1 June 2018
Generally, according to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World website, methamphetamine drugs are of a crystalline white powder appearance.

— howard cohen, miamiherald, "A woman named Crystal Methvin was charged with drug possession. Guess which kind?," 31 May 2018
That officer found a digital scale with some methamphetamine residue on it when searching the vehicle, according to a news release from the Montgomery County District Attorney's office.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "He was stopped for speeding — but got 75 years for stealing Harvey victims' identities," 31 May 2018
Use of more potent mind-bending drugs, like fentanyl and methamphetamine, has risen, too.

— The Economist, "Can a new mayor fix San Francisco’s housing and homelessness problems?," 31 May 2018
An autopsy revealed Zambrano-Montes had methamphetamine in his system.

— wendy culverwell, The Seattle Times, "Daughters of man killed by Pasco police to split $500K in settlement," 28 May 2018
She was found in possession of 1.1 kilos (2.4 lb) of crystal methamphetamine and faced a mandatory death penalty under Malaysia's draconian drugs laws.

— james griffiths, CNN, "Australian grandmother sentenced to death by hanging for drug smuggling," 24 May 2018
Tests showed drugs, including marijuana and methamphetamines were in the boy's system, causing neurological issues, The State Journal reports.

— ashley may, USA TODAY, "Toddler hospitalized with bite marks and marijuana in his system," 22 May 2018
In addition, resources spent on cannabis enforcement need to be redirected to fighting opioid and methamphetamines, to fighting the manufacturers and dealers, not consumers plus addiction needs to be treated like a disease, not a crime.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Pomerado News, "Gore faces challenger Myers in sheriff's race," 10 May 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

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