1
: a psychoactive preparation that is composed of the crushed or powdered dried leaves of a yellow-flowered tropical tree (Mitragyna speciosa of the family Rubiaceae) of southeastern Asia and that is smoked or ingested orally (as in tea or capsules)
Note: Kratom contains the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine which produce stimulatory effects at low doses and sedative and analgesic effects at high doses.
At lower dosages, kratom is a mood enhancer … . But at higher levels, it functions as a mini-opioid, causing drowsiness, calmness, and a level of euphoria.—
Peninsula Daily News (Port Angeles, Washington)
Peninsula Daily News (Port Angeles, Washington)Information and data on the positive and negative effects of kratom are limited, and because of this, health officials have voiced concerns that it is largely unregulated.—Bryce Dole
Bryce DoleTraditional medicine utilizes kratom to deal with muscle pain, depression, fatigue, and other physical and mental health problems.—Rishi Madan
Rishi MadanThe Food and Drug Administration does not view kratom as safe and has repeatedly warned against use of the substance, which has been marketed for pain relief, depression and anxiety.—Blair Emerson
Blair Emerson2
: the tree or leaves from which kratom is derived
As a society, we're now using other medications to control pain, while actively searching for more. Some consider kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), a tree native to Southeast Asia, to have potential in this respect.—Robert Ashley
Robert AshleyFor centuries, kratom has been grown in African and Southeast Asia as an ingredient that locals can use in traditional medicine.—The Daily Herald (Everett, Washington)
The Daily Herald (Everett, Washington)Examples of kratom in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Around the margins, there are some wild cards, like the citizen complainant who recently served two years in federal prison for his mail-order kratom business.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2024
There are podcasts, support groups and books dedicated to quitting kratom.
—Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024
The growing interest in natural performance enhancers like kratom and cannabis underscores the need for innovation and adaptation.
—Joshua Adragna, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2024
In other words, one kratom product could be more dangerous than another.
—C. Michael White, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kratom 
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Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2024
There are podcasts, support groups and books dedicated to quitting kratom.
—Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024
The growing interest in natural performance enhancers like kratom and cannabis underscores the need for innovation and adaptation.
—Joshua Adragna, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2024
In other words, one kratom product could be more dangerous than another.
—C. Michael White, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kratom
Dictionary Entries Near kratom
Cite this Entry
“Kratom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kratom. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
1
: a psychoactive preparation that is composed of the crushed or powdered dried leaves of a yellow-flowered tropical tree (Mitragyna speciosa of the family Rubiaceae) of southeastern Asia and that is smoked or ingested orally (as in tea or capsules)
Note: Kratom contains the alkaloids mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine which produce stimulatory effects at low doses and sedative and analgesic effects at high doses.
In folk medicine, kratom has been used for its reported analgesic and euphoric effects, as well as for intestinal infections, diarrhea, and cough.—Marc T. Swogger et al., Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
Marc T. Swogger et al., Journal of Psychoactive Drugs… there has been an increase in reported adverse effects associated with kratom, which prompted the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to consider classifying kratom as a Schedule I drug, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to warn consumers against its use.—Sara Post et al., Clinical Toxicology
Sara Post et al., Clinical Toxicology2
: the tree or leaves from which kratom is derived
Growing approximately 15 m tall, the kratom tree possesses relatively large, broad, glossy leaves that are oval shaped and dark green in color.—Marcus L. Warner et al., International Journal of Legal Medicine
Marcus L. Warner et al., International Journal of Legal MedicineLove words? Need even more definitions?
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