recreational drug

noun

: a drug (such as cocaine, marijuana, or methamphetamine) used without medical justification for its psychoactive effects often in the belief that occasional use of such a substance is not habit-forming or addictive

Examples of recreational drug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These groups won't stop until all drugs are available for recreational drug use. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025

For nonprescription or recreational drugs, you may be assessed for substance use disorder. —Maxine Lipner, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025

Related article Prince Harry Fast Facts The Heritage Foundation has raised questions about Prince Harry’s writings of past recreational drug use in his memoir, since admission of past drug use can be grounds to reject a visa application. —Rebekah Riess, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025

Spring break often sees a rise in the use of recreational drugs. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recreational drug

• antidrug
• mealybug
• multidrug
• chug
• doug
• dug
• hug
• jug
• lug
• mug
• plug
• pug

Medical Definition

recreational drug

noun

rec·​re·​a·​tion·​al drug ˌrek-rē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl- 

: a drug (as cocaine, marijuana, or methamphetamine) used without medical justification for its psychoactive effects often in the belief that occasional use of such a substance is not habit-forming or addictive