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

Patients might be women in their 30s with an autoimmune disease like lupus or people of any age exposed to such toxins as methamphetamines or, in the past, the fen-phen appetite suppressant drug of the 1990s, later withdrawn after being linked to heart disease. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 June 2026

In addition to the large amount of methamphetamine discovered, there were also materials and photos indicating multiple stages of narcotics production, authorities said. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Mendoza failed a drug test in November 2024 while on supervised release for a 2015 conviction of distributing methamphetamine, and by February 2025, a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to records. — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 26 June 2026

Religious vow Landor was incarcerated in Louisiana in 2020 for possessing methamphetamine, cocaine, amphetamine and marijuana. — Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 26 June 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