ketamine

noun

ke·​ta·​mine ˈke-tə-ˌmēn  ˈkē- 

: a general anesthetic that is administered intravenously and intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₃H₁₆ClNO·HCl and that is used illicitly usually by being inhaled in powdered form especially for the dreamlike or hallucinogenic state it produces

Note: Ketamine is also called Special K when used as a recreational drug

Examples of ketamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, medication involving the anesthetic, ketamine, has shown promise in recent years for treating these hard-to-resolve depressive symptoms. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2025

Voll, Pearce’s attorney, said the women had used ketamine and cocaine at the rave before meeting his client. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025

The team thought ketamine might immediately reduce the activity of astrocytes. —Jon Hamilton, NPR, 7 Jan. 2025

By lessening pain sensitivity, ketamine can help reduce the risk of chronic pain. —Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

ket(one) + amine

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ketamine

noun

ke·​ta·​mine ˈkēt-ə-ˌmēn 

: a general anesthetic that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride C₁₃H₁₆ClNO·HCl and that is used illicitly usually by being inhaled in powdered form especially for the dreamlike or hallucinogenic state it produces see special k