pentobarbital

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

|Updated on: 8 Jun 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

Bucklew has proposed that the state use lethal gas instead of an injection of pentobarbital, if the execution is carried out.

— mark sherman, BostonGlobe.com, "Supreme Court to hear appeal of Missouri death row inmate," 30 Apr. 2018
Goodall took his life with an intravenous drip of pentobarbital, a chemical often used as an anesthetic but which is lethal in excessive doses.

— philipp jenne, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Scientist, 104, who was looking forward to death dies in assisted suicide," 10 May 2018
None of the 20 inmates executed since Missouri began using pentobarbital in 2013 have shown obvious signs of pain or suffering.

— mark sherman, BostonGlobe.com, "Supreme Court to hear appeal of Missouri death row inmate," 30 Apr. 2018
The drug, pentobarbital, is used as a sedative, anesthetic or to euthanize animals, the FDA said.

— julie washington, cleveland.com, "Smucker recalls canned dog food containing potentially lethal drug," 19 Feb. 2018
Carlton Gary, 67, was pronounced dead at 10:33 p.m. Thursday after an injection of the barbiturate pentobarbital at the state prison in Jackson, authorities said.

— kate brumback, chicagotribune.com, "Georgia executes man known as the 'stocking strangler,' who raped and killed older women," 15 Mar. 2018
The agency notes the levels of pentobarbital found in the withdrawn cans is at a low level, and will unlikely pose a health risk to pets.

— brett molina, USA TODAY, "J.M. Smucker recalls some canned dog food that may contain drug," 18 Feb. 2018
Hawley wrote that the lethal dose of pentobarbital could be administered through a leg or other vein instead of the arm.

— Fox News, "Missouri man who killed ex's new boyfriend gets 2nd stay of execution," 20 Mar. 2018
Hawley wrote that the lethal dose of pentobarbital could be administered through a leg or other vein instead of the arm.

— Washington Post, "Missouri inmate gets 2nd stay of execution from high court," 20 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