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 packages, which were recovered by prison officials, contained three pounds and three ounces of methamphetamine and one and a half pounds of tobacco, authorities said. —Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024

Federal officers staffing the Otay Mesa Port of Entry this week uncovered a haul of more than 5 tons of methamphetamine concealed in a shipment of squash, authorities said Wednesday. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 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