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 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 attorney for Elk Grove police, Bruce Praet, argued instead that Landeros had a toxic level of methamphetamine in his system, had a history of heart trouble and died of cardiac arrest. —Sam Stanton, Sacramento Bee, 19 Apr. 2024

Almost 50 pounds of methamphetamine found in an ice chest full of fish has been discovered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers during a routine screening of a vehicle trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2024

He was contacted, and a glass pipe and methamphetamine were located on him. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024

Fentanyl is contaminating every type of street drug, like methamphetamine, and this opioid radically alters a person’s brain chemistry. —Jim Vargas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2024

Hoskins and Stegall were then also charged with felony possession of methamphetamines and possession of drug paraphernalia. —Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024

But a secondary inspection revealed suspicious packages hidden underneath the bunches of carrots — exactly 574 packages that tested positive for methamphetamine, according to officials. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024

Sam’s medical chart revealed several past visits for methamphetamine intoxication, just as the nurse had said, and no mention of other medical problems. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024

Officers found at least 0.2 grams of methamphetamine in Meade’s pocket, according to an affidavit. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2024

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 disorder and obesity and that is often abused illicitly as a stimulant

called also meth, methedrine, methylamphetamine, speed