pentobarbital

noun

pen·​to·​bar·​bi·​tal ˌpen-tə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl 

: 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

There is currently a shortage of pentobarbital, the drug used for lethal injections, which has several states scrambling to find alternative execution methods. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Additionally, sterility testing on the compounded pentobarbital was completed earlier this year, providing verification of the drug’s beyond use date. —Pilar Arias, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025

Lisa Coleman, 38, was the last woman put to death in Texas, via a lethal dose of pentobarbital, on Sept. 17. —David K. Li, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025

Autopsies conducted on two inmates executed since South Carolina switched its lethal injection method to massive doses of pentobarbital revealed significant fluid buildup in their lungs. —Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

penta- + -o- + barbital

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pentobarbital

• barbital

Medical Definition

pentobarbital

noun

pen·​to·​bar·​bi·​tal ˌpent-ə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl 

: a granular barbiturate used especially in the form of its sodium salt C₁₁H₁₇N₂NaO₃ or calcium salt (C₁₁H₁₇N₂O₃)₂Ca as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic