barbiturate

noun

bar·​bi·​tu·​rate bär-ˈbi-chə-rət 

-ˌrāt;

ˌbär-bə-ˈtyu̇r-ət,

-ˈtu̇r-,

-ˌāt;

 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

The drug is a barbiturate that depresses the central nervous system and causes the heart to stop. —Tyler Spence, The Indianapolis Star, 27 June 2024

The pop culture icon died at the home after overdosing on barbiturates. —Cindy Vonquednow, CNN, 26 June 2024

Garland died on June 22, 1969, of an overdose of barbiturates. —Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 2 June 2024

Included in the autopsy report are toxicology tests, Those tests appeared clean, with no amphetamine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, opiates, PCP, barbiturates, or benzodiazepines detected in his system. —Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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  -ˌrāt; ˌbär-bə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət 

-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