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 Researchers also must spend thousands to assure the government that their cannabis isn’t at risk of being stolen or diverted into the recreational drug supply. Nicholas Florko and Sarah Owermohle, STAT, 30 May 2024 Besides its legal and medical purposes, ketamine is a popular recreational drug. Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024 Life among the global elite also meant attending and hosting fabulous parties — and partaking of recreational drugs, including ketamine, cocaine and psychedelic mushrooms, The Times said, citing documents and accounts by eight people. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 22 May 2024 The fact that fentanyl is regularly added to counterfeit prescription pharmaceuticals like Adderall and Oxycontin, or recreational drugs like marijuana, only increases the lethality. Stephen B. Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 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 4 Jul. 2024.

Medical Definition

recreational drug

noun
rec·​re·​a·​tion·​al drug ˌrek-rē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl- How to pronounce recreational drug (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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