barbiturate

noun

bar·​bi·​tu·​rate bär-ˈbi-chə-rət How to pronounce barbiturate (audio)
-ˌrāt;
ˌbär-bə-ˈtyu̇r-ət,
-ˈtu̇r-,
-ˌāt How to pronounce barbiturate (audio)
 nonstandard  bär-ˈbi-chə-wət
1
: a salt or ester of barbituric acid
2
: any of various derivatives of barbituric acid (such as phenobarbital) that are used especially as sedatives, hypnotics, and antispasmodics and are often addictive

Examples of barbiturate 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.
True: Judy Garland was hooked on barbiturates and amphetamines during filming. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024 At night, she was given barbiturates to help her sleep. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024 Next came Jimi Hendrix, a guitarist extraordinaire who overdosed on barbiturates in 1970. Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 Elvis was a longtime opiate user, having also abused sleeping pills, antihistamines, barbiturates and, lastly, laxatives to treat intense constipation caused by his prescription-grade painkillers. Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for barbiturate 

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of barbiturate was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near barbiturate

Cite this Entry

“Barbiturate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbiturate. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

barbiturate

noun
bar·​bit·​u·​rate
bär-ˈbich-ə-rət,
-ˌrāt,
ˌbär-bə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət,
-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r-ˌāt
: any of various drugs related to barbituric acid that are used especially to calm or to produce sleep and are often habit-forming

Medical Definition

barbiturate

noun
bar·​bi·​tu·​rate bär-ˈbich-ə-rət How to pronounce barbiturate (audio) -ˌrāt; ˌbär-bə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət How to pronounce barbiturate (audio)
-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r-ˌāt
1
: a salt or ester of barbituric acid
2
: any of various derivatives of barbituric acid (as phenobarbital) that are used especially as sedatives, hypnotics, and antispasmodics and are often addictive

More from Merriam-Webster on barbiturate

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