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

And so, most EMTs, paramedics, and medical directors have not learned that there are extremely effective treatments—buprenorphine, methadone, and naloxone—for treating opioid addiction and preventing fatal overdoses. —Melody Glenn july 23, Literary Hub, 23 July 2025

These medications include methadone, buprenorphine and extended-release naltrexone. —Katherine Lemasters, The Conversation, 13 June 2025

But getting people onto long-term medications, including methadone and buprenorphine, which reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, can more effectively prevent mortality in both the short and long term. —Lois Parshley, Scientific American, 5 June 2025

Opioid-treatment medications such as buprenorphine, methadone and naloxone, also known as Narcan, are far more widely available now. —Brian Mann, NPR, 19 Mar. 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