methadone

noun

meth·​a·​done ˈme-thə-ˌdōn 

variants or less commonly methadon

ˈme-thə-ˌdän 

: a synthetic addictive narcotic drug C₂₁H₂₇NO used especially in the form of its hydrochloride for the relief of pain and as a substitute narcotic in the treatment of heroin addiction

Examples of methadone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her daughter, Mev, a methadone addict, is renting a place down the street. —Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026

The changes the department has made include employing a medical doctor who is an addiction medicine specialist, reviewing methadone induction protocols at all facilities and the suspension of methadone induction at Garner. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026

Includes cocaine, hydrocodone, fentanyl, Adderall, methamphetamine, oxycodone, Dexedrine, Ritalin, hydromorphone, meperidine and methadone, and others. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 19 Dec. 2025

In 2015, her daughter Victoria died at age 18 from an accidental overdose of methadone and sertraline. —Sarah Sotoodeh , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

methyl + amino + diphenyl + -one

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for methadone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

Kids Definition

methadone

noun

meth·​a·​done ˈmeth-ə-ˌdōn 

variants also methadon

-ˌdän 

: a narcotic drug C₂₁H₂₇NO that is used to replace heroin in the treatment of heroin addiction

Medical Definition

methadone

noun

meth·​a·​done ˈmeth-ə-ˌdōn 

variants also methadon

-ˌdän 

: a synthetic addictive narcotic drug used especially in the form of its hydrochloride C₂₁H₂₇NO·HCl for the relief of pain and as a substitute narcotic in the treatment of heroin addiction

called also amidone