# ritalin

> English word · Proper noun · frequency rank #51,368

## Definitions
1. methylphenidate, used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

## Etymology
From Rita + -lin. Coined by chemist Leandro Panizzon, who synthesized it. Named after Marguerite Panizzon, wife of Leandro. Ritalin, a trade name from the 1940s. Genericization of the trademark.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ritalin