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

The state Department of Health’s Drug Control Program received a tip in December 2023 that a House of Correction hospital employee was possibly diverting methadone and suboxone while pretending to discard. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 20 Nov. 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

Opioid use disorder can be treated with buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone. —Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025

Widely considered the standard of care for opioid addiction, MAT uses medications such as Suboxone and methadone to reduce withdrawal symptoms and curb cravings. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 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