pentobarbital

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

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Definition of pentobarbital

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

Recent Examples of pentobarbital from the Web

Currently, the state uses compounded pentobarbital for executions, as has been the protocol since 2011.

— keri blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Media outlets fight to keep lethal injection court hearing open to public," 15 June 2018
His head was shaking slightly as the lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital began.

— NBC News, "Texas executes convicted killer whose attorneys proposed firing squad," 28 June 2018
None of the 20 inmates executed since Missouri began using pentobarbital in 2013 have shown obvious signs of pain or suffering.

— Fox News, "Missouri man who killed ex's new boyfriend gets 2nd stay of execution," 20 Mar. 2018
None of the 20 inmates executed since Missouri began using pentobarbital in 2013 have shown obvious signs of pain or suffering.

— Washington Post, "Missouri inmate gets 2nd stay of execution from high court," 20 Mar. 2018
Although the case was settled, no further executions have yet been scheduled because the department has so far not obtained either of the two drugs approved for execution in Arizona: sodium thiopental and pentobarbital.

— michael kiefer, USA TODAY, "Arizona death row inmates die from hepatitis C, not lethal injection," 20 Mar. 2018
His deteriorating health, the attorneys argue, has left his veins unsuitable for IVs to be inserted to carry a lethal dose of pentobarbital.

— michael graczyk, Fox News, "Ailing Texas inmate wants execution by firing squad or gas," 28 June 2018
He was pronounced dead at 6:31 p.m. CDT, 14 minutes after the lethal dose of the powerful sedative pentobarbital was administered.

— CBS News, "Texas man executed for killing 5-year-old and her grandmother at girl's birthday party," 26 Apr. 2018
Rodriguez, who turned 38 Monday, received a lethal dose of the powerful sedative pentobarbital, injected by Texas prison officials.

— john patrick pullen, Time, "Texas Executes 'Suitcase Killer' Minutes After U.S. Supreme Court Rejects His Death Penalty Appeal," 28 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of pentobarbital

penta- + -o- + barbital

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1931

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

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