ketamine

noun

ke·​ta·​mine ˈke-tə-ˌmēn How to pronounce ketamine (audio) ˈkē- How to pronounce ketamine (audio)
: 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
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.
An autopsy later determined that Perry died from acute effects of ketamine, as well as other contributing factors such as drowning, coronary artery disease and effects from buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 Erik Fleming, 56, pleaded guilty in August 2024 to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 Chavez and Plasencia have already been sentenced for their roles in what prosecutors called a conspiracy to illegally distribute ketamine to Perry. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 13 May 2026 Perry had been receiving ketamine treatments for depression — an increasingly common off-label use. Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ketamine

Word History

Etymology

ket(one) + amine

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ketamine was in 1966

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ketamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ketamine. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Medical Definition

ketamine

noun
ke·​ta·​mine ˈkēt-ə-ˌmēn How to pronounce ketamine (audio)
: 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?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster