recreational drug

noun

: a drug (such as cocaine, marijuana, or methamphetamine) used without medical justification for its psychoactive effects often in the belief that occasional use of such a substance is not habit-forming or addictive

Examples of recreational drug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Khat is a recreational drug native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula that is typically chewed for its amphetamine-like effects, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026

Developed in the 1960s as a surgical anesthesia, ketamine has grown in popularity as a recreational drug, particularly within the rave and nightlife community, for its dissociative and psychedelic effects. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

But stuck in a money jam, Frankie and Molly immediately decide to sell it like any other recreational drug. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Increasing acceptance of cannabis use The ruling hinges on evolving perceptions of recreational drugs, especially marijuana. — Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recreational drug

• antidrug
• mealybug
• multidrug
• chug
• doug
• dug
• hug
• jug
• lug
• mug
• plug
• pug

Medical Definition

recreational drug

noun

rec·​re·​a·​tion·​al drug ˌrek-rē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl- 

: a drug (as cocaine, marijuana, or methamphetamine) used without medical justification for its psychoactive effects often in the belief that occasional use of such a substance is not habit-forming or addictive