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
According to Texas law, that penalty group includes high-addiction-risk drugs that have no medicinal use, like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, ketamine or Fentanyl.
—
Katey Psencik, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Charges included possession and trafficking of substances such as ketamine, MDMA and cocaine.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Months after his death, the Washington Post reported Irsay had relapsed and overdosed multiple times in the last five years, and was being treated by Haroutunian, who allegedly prescribed him opioids and ketamine.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
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Katey Psencik, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Charges included possession and trafficking of substances such as ketamine, MDMA and cocaine.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Months after his death, the Washington Post reported Irsay had relapsed and overdosed multiple times in the last five years, and was being treated by Haroutunian, who allegedly prescribed him opioids and ketamine.
—Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ketamine
Cite this Entry
“Ketamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ketamine. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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
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