SINCE 1828
pentobarbital
noun
pen·to·bar·bi·tal
| \ ˌpen-tə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl
\
\
Definition of pentobarbital
: a granular barbiturate C11H18N2O3 used especially in the form of its sodium or calcium salt as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic
Examples of pentobarbital in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For the executions, the government will use one drug, pentobarbital, instead of a three-drug cocktail. — Hanna Kozlowska, Quartz, "The federal government schedules 5 executions after bringing back the death penalty," 25 July 2019 Barr chose a single death drug — pentobarbital — and ordered officials to schedule the executions of five men convicted of especially heinous murders of children. — Eugene Robinson, The Mercury News, "Robinson: After Mueller, Trump’s wrecking ball keeps swinging," 26 July 2019 Fourteen states have used pentobarbital in more than 200 executions, and the Supreme Court has upheld the use of the drug. — Kristine Phillips, USA TODAY, "Justice Department resumes capital punishment after nearly two decades, orders executions of five inmates," 25 July 2019 The executions will involve a single drug called pentobarbital, replacing a prior three-drug cocktail. — Lauren Castle, azcentral, "Arizona man short-listed for federal execution after killing woman and her granddaughter," 25 July 2019 Barr approved a new procedure for lethal injections that replaces the three-drug cocktail previously used in federal execution with a single drug, pentobarbital. — Colleen Long, Twin Cities, "US government will execute inmates for first time since 2003," 26 July 2019 Currently, the Lone Star State uses a single drug, the barbiturate pentobarbital, in its executions. — Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Arkansas death row inmates want to know where Texas gets its death drugs," 26 June 2018 Barr approved a new procedure for lethal injections that replaces the three-drug cocktail previously used in federal execution with a single drug, pentobarbital. — Colleen Long, Twin Cities, "US government will execute inmates for first time since 2003," 26 July 2019 When Barr announced on Thursday that the DOJ will be bringing back the death penalty after reversing a 16-year moratorium, five individuals were in the same breath scheduled to executed using pentobarbital. — Breanna Edwards, Essence, "Rep. Ayanna Pressley Introduces Bill To Put An End To Federal Death Penalty," 26 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pentobarbital.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for pentobarbital
pentobarbital
noun
pen·to·bar·bi·tal
| \ ˌpent-ə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl
\
\
Medical Definition of pentobarbital
: a granular barbiturate used especially in the form of its sodium salt C11H17N2NaO3 or calcium salt (C11H17N2O3)2Ca as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic
Comments on pentobarbital
What made you want to look up pentobarbital? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Musical Words Quiz
-
- Which word describes a musical performance marked by the absence of instrumental accompaniment?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Share pentobarbital
Resources for pentobarbital