methamphetamine

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

/ ˌmɛθ æmˈfɛt əˌmin, -mɪn /

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noun Pharmacology.

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.

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Origin of methamphetamine

First recorded in 1945–50; meth- + amphetamine

Words nearby methamphetamine

methacrylate, methacrylate resin, methacrylic acid, methadone, methaemoglobin, methamphetamine, methanal, methanation, methane, methane series, methanogen

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|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|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|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|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|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for methamphetamine

methamphetamine

/ (ˌmɛθæmˈfɛtəmɪn) /

noun

a variety of amphetamine used for its stimulant action

Word Origin for 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.