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

Glass and aluminum are banned, as is alcohol and recreational drugs (that includes cannabis), pets, camping gear, and weapons. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2026

Known as whippets, these canisters have been used as a recreational drug, especially among youths. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026

Younger travelers take more risks and have a permissive attitude about everything from recreational drugs to graffiti. —Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026

Other problematic human medications include vitamin D supplements, estrogen creams, antidepressants and other prescription drugs, and recreational drugs including cannabis and amphetamines. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 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