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

While irregular heart rhythms cause most sudden cardiac arrests, recreational drug use can cause cardiac arrest in otherwise healthy people. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Decades later, psychedelic churches and spiritual groups have invoked RFRA, arguing that substances like ayahuasca and psilocybin are not recreational drugs but sacraments essential to their religious practice. — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Parents should also keep in mind that recreational drugs are just one of many potential sources of poisoning in the home. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

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

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