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

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

Maybe research will one day show that 7-OH is as useful as suboxone or methadone for opioid treatment, Warren said. —Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025

She was sedated and given some of the strongest painkillers available — morphine, a continuous ketamine drip, Dilaudid and methadone — the kind of regimen typically reserved for cancer or hospice patients. —Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 12 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