ketamine
noun
ke·ta·mine
ˈke-tə-ˌmēn 
ˈkē-
ˈkē-
: a general anesthetic that is administered intravenously and intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride C13H16ClNO·HCl and that is used illicitly usually by being inhaled in powdered form especially for the dreamlike or hallucinogenic state it produces
Note: Ketamine is also called Special K when used as a recreational drug
Examples of ketamine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The story looks into the life of the Friends star, who passed away in October 2023 from an accidental overdose of ketamine.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 July 2025
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled his death an accident caused primarily by the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning and coronary artery disease also contributing factors.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Plasencia contacted Chavez, who had previously operated a ketamine clinic, to discuss Perry's request for ketamine and purchased vials of liquid ketamine, ketamine lozenges and other items from him, according to the agreement.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 23 July 2025
McClain’s death prompted a new state law that limited the way paramedics could use ketamine during police encounters in an attempt to prevent similar deaths.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ketamine
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 July 2025
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled his death an accident caused primarily by the acute effects of ketamine, with drowning and coronary artery disease also contributing factors.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Plasencia contacted Chavez, who had previously operated a ketamine clinic, to discuss Perry's request for ketamine and purchased vials of liquid ketamine, ketamine lozenges and other items from him, according to the agreement.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 23 July 2025
McClain’s death prompted a new state law that limited the way paramedics could use ketamine during police encounters in an attempt to prevent similar deaths.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ketamine
Cite this Entry
“Ketamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ketamine. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ketamine
noun
ke·ta·mine
ˈkēt-ə-ˌmēn
: a general anesthetic that is administered intravenously or intramuscularly in the form of its hydrochloride C13H16ClNO·HCl and that is used illicitly usually by being inhaled in powdered form especially for the dreamlike or hallucinogenic state it produces see special k
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share