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

The new findings ruled that his death was accidental and probably stemmed from an undiagnosed condition — but noted that Naroditsky had ingested both methamphetamine and kratom, and that likely was a contributing factor. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Huerta and Hedgecock have both been charged with first-degree murder, possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026

Xianna Moua Yang and her husband, Yeng Moua, are each charged with one first-degree felony charge of selling or aiding in the selling of 17 grams or more of cocaine or methamphetamine within 90 days and one first-degree felony charge of possessing 50 grams or more of cocaine or methamphetamine. —Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2026

The city of Fort Collins has temporarily closed the Fort Collins Mennonite Fellowship church building in Old Town Fort Collins amid detection of methamphetamine contamination. —Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

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