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

Investigators connected the methamphetamine to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación, which has been described as a billion-dollar organization that has its own army and controls extensive drug routes throughout the United States. —Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Sep. 2025

Court records also show that in 2020, while in jail presumably in connection with the library shooting, Vicencio was found with methamphetamine in his cell and later pleaded no contest to a felony drug possession count. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025

On her way home, Bendawald flagged her down in Eagle in his personal pickup truck and searched her car and found methamphetamine and heroin, according to her testimony and court records. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2025

Two months later, Muniz Jimenez died after experiencing a medical emergency at the jail after he was booked into custody in November on a felony charge of possession of methamphetamine. —Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 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