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 hyperactivity 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

Federal prosecutors accuse the Mexican state officials of playing an instrumental role in the cartel’s efforts to move massive amounts of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines into the United States. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Court records show that 31-year-old Xin Tong was charged with malicious destruction of a building over $20,000 and operating/maintaining a lab involving methamphetamine. —Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

Xin Tong faces charges of malicious destruction of property over $20,000 and operating or maintaining a methamphetamine lab, state police said in a news release. —Janat Batra, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026

In exchange, the indictment alleges, the governor and his allies helped the Chapitos traffic massive quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and crystal methamphetamine to the United States. —Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026

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 hyperactivity disorder and obesity and that is often abused illicitly as a stimulant

called also meth, methedrine, methylamphetamine, speed