methadone

noun

meth·​a·​done ˈme-thə-ˌdōn How to pronounce methadone (audio)
variants or less commonly methadon
: 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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'methadone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

methyl + amino + diphenyl + -one

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methadone was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near methadone

Cite this Entry

“Methadone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methadone. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

methadone

noun
meth·​a·​done ˈmeth-ə-ˌdōn How to pronounce methadone (audio)
variants also methadon
: 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 How to pronounce methadone (audio)
variants also methadon
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on methadone

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