English Reference
Noun

methamphetamine

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˌmɛθæmˈfɛtəmaɪn/ UK /mˌɛθɐmfˈɛtɐmˌiːn/ metham·phetamine

n.a powerful and illegal drug that makes people feel very energetic and happy for a short time. It is very dangerous for your body and mind.

n.a potent central nervous system stimulant that is chemically similar to amphetamine. It is highly addictive and classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in many jurisdictions.


SIMPLE

The police found a large amount of methamphetamine in the house.

CONTEXTUAL

Health officials are concerned about the rise in methamphetamine use among young adults in the region.

COMPLEX

The synthetic production of methamphetamine often occurs in unregulated environments, leading to severe environmental contamination and significant public health risks for nearby communities.

Mexican authorities seized nearly 17 tonnes of methamphetamine from three clandestine laboratories in Sinaloa and dismantled the 5,700-square-metre facility where the drugs were produced.

Al Jazeera· 4 Sept 2026

Authorities in Iran intercepted 3,663 kilogrammes of methamphetamines headed for Europe and the Persian Gulf in the first quarter of 2026, according to the UN’s drugs and crime fighting agency (UNODC).

UN News· 14 Aug 2026

From meth- + amphetamine; 1945–1950.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated