ketamine

American  

[kee-tuh-meen, -min] / ˈki təˌmin, -mɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a synthetic nonbarbiturate general anesthetic, C 13 H 16 ClNO, used to induce anesthesia, alone or in combination, in surgical or diagnostic procedures of short duration; extensively used in veterinary medicine.

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ketamine British  

/ ˈkɛtəmiːn /

noun

1. a drug, chemically related to PCP, that is used in medicine as a general anaesthetic, being administered by injection; cyclohexylamine

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ketamine Scientific  

/ kē′tə-mēn′ /

1. A general anesthetic given intravenously or intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride salt, used especially for minor surgical procedures in which skeletal muscle relaxation is not required.

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Etymology

Origin of ketamine

First recorded in 1965–70; ket- + -amine

Example Sentences

Joseph Palamar, a professor at NYU Langone Health who studies drug use epidemiology, said his team examined the websites of more than 200 ketamine providers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

This receptor is a key protein that helps regulate communication between brain cells and plays an important role in synaptic plasticity and glutamatergic signaling in patients receiving ketamine.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

But to Heifets’ surprise, many of the patients who reported improved mental health hadn’t received ketamine after all.

From Slate • Jan. 30, 2026

Chavez never met with Perry in person, but allowed Plasencia to continue the treatments despite knowing that Plasencia had “little” experience with ketamine treatments, according to his plea agreement.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025

Tracey Gillies, executive medical director at NHS Lothian, said recent international studies suggested that the use of IV ketamine may be a cost-effective alternative to ECT.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2025