# LSD

/ˌɛˌɫɛsˈdi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lsd
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. hallucinogenic drug

noun · CEFR B2

Stands for Lysergic Acid Diethylamide. A powerful drug that makes people see or hear things that are not real.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Lysergic Acid Diethylamide. A potent synthetic crystalline compound that causes hallucinations and sensory distortions.

- The musician admitted that he had experimented with LSD during the 1960s.
- Clinical researchers are currently investigating whether microdoses of LSD can effectively treat chronic depression and anxiety disorders.

### 2. old British currency

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Archaic

Stands for pounds, shillings, and pence. This was the system of money used in the UK before 1971.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Librae, Solidi, Denarii. The pre-decimal currency system of the United Kingdom, consisting of pounds, shillings, and pence.

- My grandfather still remembers how to calculate prices in LSD from before the change.
- The transition from the LSD system to decimalisation in 1971 represented a significant cultural shift for the British public.

Usage: Usually written as £sd or l.s.d. in historical documents.

### 3. movement of beach sand

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

Stands for longshore drift. This is the way waves move sand and stones along a beach.

For teachers: Abbreviation for longshore drift. The geological process by which sediments such as sand or pebbles are transported along a coastline.

- The new sea wall was built to stop LSD from washing away the beach.
- Coastal engineers must account for the rate of LSD when designing groynes to prevent significant beach erosion.

### 4. car part

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

Stands for limited-slip differential. A part in a car that helps the wheels turn better on slippery roads.

For teachers: Abbreviation for limited-slip differential. A mechanism in a vehicle that allows two output shafts to rotate at different speeds while limiting the maximum difference.

- The sports car comes with an LSD to improve handling in tight corners.
- Off-road enthusiasts often prefer a mechanical LSD over electronic systems for better traction on uneven terrain.

## Examples

- The scientist studied the effects of LSD on the brain.
- During the 1960s, LSD became a symbol of the counterculture movement and influenced much of the era's art and music.
- While early researchers investigated LSD for its potential to treat alcoholism and depression, the substance was eventually classified as a controlled drug due to its unpredictable psychological effects.

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