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
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Francis has consistently opposed the legalization of recreational drugs, including marijuana, arguing drug addiction causes profound harm to individuals and communities.
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Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
In particular, smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol, skipping sleep, using recreational drugs (like marijuana), and downing a ton of sugar may all contribute to an excess of those free-wheeling free radicals and impair your body’s ability to defend against them.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025
The drug, which caused Friends star Matthew Perry’s 2023 death from an accidental overdose, is a popular recreational drug.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Nitrous oxide is a common product with medical, industrial and culinary uses, but it’s also used as a recreational drug when inhaled.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recreational drug
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Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
In particular, smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol, skipping sleep, using recreational drugs (like marijuana), and downing a ton of sugar may all contribute to an excess of those free-wheeling free radicals and impair your body’s ability to defend against them.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 18 Apr. 2025
The drug, which caused Friends star Matthew Perry’s 2023 death from an accidental overdose, is a popular recreational drug.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Nitrous oxide is a common product with medical, industrial and culinary uses, but it’s also used as a recreational drug when inhaled.
—August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recreational drug
Cite this Entry
“Recreational drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recreational%20drug. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
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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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