pentobarbital

noun

pen·to·bar·bi·tal ˌpen-tə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl

: a granular barbiturate C₁₁H₁₈N₂O₃ used especially in the form of its sodium or calcium salt as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Kevin Johnson, 37, died after an injection of pentobarbital at the state prison in Bonne Terre. —

Jim Salter, ajc, 30 Nov. 2022 Department records obtained by attorneys for the inmates showed that prison officials did potency testing of their supply of pentobarbital that extended its beyond use date to September and November. —

Juan A. Lozano, Chron, 3 Jan. 2023 Kevin Johnson, 37, died after an injection of pentobarbital at the state prison in Bonne Terre. —

Jim Salter, ajc, 30 Nov. 2022 Kevin Johnson, 37, died after an injection of pentobarbital at the state prison in Bonne Terre. —

CBS News, 29 Nov. 2022 The announcement comes after a series of changes at the federal department, including a new protocol for administering lethal injections at the federal Bureau of Prisons using the drug pentobarbital. —

Ivana Hrynkiw | Ihrynkiw@al.com, al, 23 Nov. 2022 See More

These 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.

Word History

Etymology

penta- + -o- + barbital

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of pentobarbital was in 1931

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pentobarbital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pentobarbital. Accessed 27 Jan. 2023.

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Medical Definition

pentobarbital

noun

pen·to·bar·bi·tal ˌpent-ə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl

: a granular barbiturate used especially in the form of its sodium salt C₁₁H₁₇N₂NaO₃ or calcium salt (C₁₁H₁₇N₂O₃)₂Ca as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic