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

Examples of pentobarbital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rector and others are also concerned about the effects of pentobarbital. —Kelly Puente, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

At the time of his execution, Stanko was administered two doses of the powerful sedative pentobarbital, according to The Associated Press. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 14 June 2025

While the state's previous protocol included pages of detailed instructions on procurement, storage, testing and transfer for the chemicals, the new protocol has just one page outlining details for pentobarbital. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 23 May 2025

The Tennessee Department of Correction rewrote its protocol and changed its lethal injection to a single drug: pentobarbital. —Adam Tamburin, Axios, 20 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

penta- + -o- + barbital

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pentobarbital

• barbital

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