pentobarbital

noun

pen·​to·​bar·​bi·​tal ˌpen-tə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce pentobarbital (audio)
: a granular barbiturate C11H18N2O3 used especially in the form of its sodium or calcium salt as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic

Examples of pentobarbital 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.
He was executed with a lethal dose of the depressant drug pentobarbital, according to the outlet. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024 One needle carrying the lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital was inserted in his right arm, the usual procedure. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 25 Sep. 2024 Williams will be administered a 5-gram dose of pentobarbital in accordance with the state of Missouri's lethal injection protocol. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024 The barbiturates and pentobarbital used for the murder are real—just don’t get any ideas, OK? Related: Wait, Was Dakota Fanning Pregnant in The Perfect Couple? Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pentobarbital 

Word History

Etymology

penta- + -o- + barbital

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pentobarbital was in 1931

Dictionary Entries Near pentobarbital

Cite this Entry

“Pentobarbital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pentobarbital. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

pentobarbital

noun
pen·​to·​bar·​bi·​tal ˌpent-ə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce pentobarbital (audio)
: a granular barbiturate used especially in the form of its sodium salt C11H17N2NaO3 or calcium salt (C11H17N2O3)2Ca as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic

More from Merriam-Webster on pentobarbital

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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