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

Though Cody believes that Cindy had stopped using drugs by then (with the help of a nearby methadone clinic), her manic episodes left him unnerved. —Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023

Buprenorphine is administered to address opioid dependence, and is provided to pregnant women in place of methadone. —Teri Figueroa, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2023

Early testing of the chemical showed methadone and hydrocodone. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2023

The liquid tested positive for the narcotics methadone and hydrocodone. —Mirna Alsharif, NBC News, 25 Aug. 2023

The fund has already distributed millions of dollars to such efforts as naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strips, three new opioid treatment programs, a mobile methadone delivery program, student loan forgiveness, and supportive housing. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Aug. 2023

In Arizona, which doesn’t track buprenorphine cases, hospitals reported about 400 new mothers who only had methadone in their systems. —Shoshana Walter, New York Times, 29 June 2023

Both the recovery court and TN-ROCS offer three medication options: buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. —Taylor Sisk, CBS News, 28 June 2023

For those who have gone into drug treatment and are taking medication like buprenorphine or methadone, potentially getting vaccinated could avoid relapse and the risk of dying from a drug overdose. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

methyl + amino + diphenyl + -one

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

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