methamphetamine

[ meth-am-fet-uh-meen, -min ]

nounPharmacology.

a central nervous system stimulant, C10H15N, used clinically in the treatment of narcolepsy, hyperkinesia, and for blood pressure maintenance in hypotensive states: also widely used as an illicit drug.

Compare Meanings

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

Origin of methamphetamine

First recorded in 1945–50; meth- + amphetamine

Words Nearby methamphetamine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use methamphetamine in a sentence

Five people died in the crash, and it was later discovered that the driver had methamphetamine in his system.
What We Learned from Tracking Cycling Deaths for a Year | Maura Fox and Luke Whelan | January 29, 2021 | Outside Online
Combining two FDA-approved drugs may help stop some people's use of methamphetamine, a new study shows.
New drug combo may help people fight meth addiction, study shows | Eileen Drage O'Reilly | January 14, 2021 | Axios
Barson, who was reportedly delivering packages, was found to have had methamphetamine in his system and faces a host of DUI and reckless-driving charges.
How We Keep Riding After the Nevada Cycling Deaths | Eben Weiss | December 22, 2020 | Outside Online
He was 47 years old, serving time for methamphetamine possession.
Victor Ray Cruz Wanted to Turn His Life Around — Then He Got the Coronavirus | Maya Srikrishnan and Adriana Heldiz | October 22, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
In 2006, for example, he investigated an unusual tuberculosis outbreak among methamphetamine users in Washington state.
Meet the disease detectives fighting to understand COVID-19 | Eleanor Cummins | October 20, 2020 | Popular-Science

methamphetamine addiction is central to more than one story.
This Week’s Hot Reads: December 22, 2014 | Mythili Rao | December 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Much like the TV show Breaking Bad, the Mexican Mafia are real life methamphetamine kingpins.
The Mexican Mafia Is the Daddy of All Street Gangs | Seth Ferranti | December 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He could transport heroin and methamphetamine with impunity.
How China Used Drones to Capture a Notorious Burmese Drug Lord | Brendon Hong | April 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Gupta points out that even methamphetamine and cocaine are recognized for their therapeutic value as “Schedule II” drugs.
Sanjay Gupta’s Pot Pilgrimage for Pain Relief | Valerie Vande Panne | March 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
So what to do with the illicit cocaine and methamphetamine users?
Why We Need Medical Meth + Cocaine | Valerie Vande Panne | February 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for methamphetamine

methamphetamine

/ (ˌmɛθæmˈfɛtəmɪn) /

noun

a variety of amphetamine used for its stimulant action

Origin of methamphetamine

C20: from meth- + amphetamine

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for methamphetamine

methamphetamine

[ mĕth′ăm-fĕt′ə-mēn′, -mĭn ]

An amine derivative of amphetamine, C10H15N, used in the form of its crystalline hydrochloride both as a central nervous system stimulant in the medical treatment of obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and illicitly as a recreational drug.

Browse