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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
Ketamine, a legal medication commonly used as an anesthetic, has gained popularity in recent years as both a clinical treatment for depression and a recreational drug.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024
It has also been used as a recreational drug for decades.
—Avery Lotz, Axios, 15 Aug. 2024
Spike honored his brother Chris after his death in 2014
As an adult, Spike had a falling out with his brother Chris, who used recreational drugs at points in his life.
—Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2024
In the decades that followed, her organization has faced a new enemy, one of the oldest recreational drugs: alcohol.
—Kaitlyn Pohly, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for recreational drug
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recreational drug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1967, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of recreational drug was
in 1967
Dictionary Entries Near recreational drug
Cite this Entry
“Recreational drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recreational%20drug. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
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
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