noun
methamphetamine
meh-tham-FEH-tuh-meen
Methamphetamine (noun) means a powerful, highly addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. Example: “Methamphetamine abuse can cause severe long-term health problems.”
noun
1
A powerful, highly addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system.
"Methamphetamine is more potent than dexamphetamine which is in turn more potent than its racemate amphetamine."
— John Jacob Lewis, Central Nervous System Stimulants (1960)
"Methamphetamine abuse can cause severe long-term health problems."
"A cloud of smoke from two pounds of methamphetamine seized by the FBI and incinerated inside a Montana animal shelter sent its workers to the hospital, city officials in Billings said."
— , Meth burn by FBI smokes out Montana animal shelter (2025)
How to use methamphetamine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dangerous, illegal stimulant drug, often just called "meth".
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like methamphetamine.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- methamphetamines
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ abuse can cause severe long-term health problems.
Etymology
Formed from meth- (methyl) + amphetamine, coined in the 1940s.
Class of 1940
methamphetamine joined the language around 1940.
See the full Class of 1940 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for methamphetamine
See all rhymes for methamphetamine →Frequently asked questions
What does “methamphetamine” mean?
The word “methamphetamine” means a powerful, highly addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system. In plain terms, a dangerous, illegal stimulant drug, often just called "meth".
How do you pronounce “methamphetamine”?
“Methamphetamine” is pronounced meh-tham-FEH-tuh-meen (/ˌmɛθæmˈfɛtəˌmiːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “methamphetamine” in a sentence?
Here is “methamphetamine” used in a sentence: “Methamphetamine abuse can cause severe long-term health problems.”
What part of speech is “methamphetamine”?
“Methamphetamine” is a noun.
Where does the word “methamphetamine” come from?
The word “methamphetamine” dates back to around 1940. Formed from meth- (methyl) + amphetamine, coined in the 1940s.
