pentobarbital

noun

pen·​to·​bar·​bi·​tal ˌpen-tə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce pentobarbital (audio)
: 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
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Smith, 75, was pronounced dead after a lethal injection of the barbiturate pentobarbital. CBS News, 22 May 2025 Since the death penalty was ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court in 1976, the federal government has executed 16 prisoners with a high dose of the sedative pentobarbital. Chiara Eisner, NPR, 21 Jan. 2025 Witnesses could hear prison officials asking for the first dose of pentobarbital, which was different from previous executions. Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025 Witnesses could hear prison officials asking for the first dose of the powerful sedative pentobarbital, which was different from previous executions. Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pentobarbital

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

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Cite this Entry

“Pentobarbital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pentobarbital. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

pentobarbital

noun
pen·​to·​bar·​bi·​tal ˌpent-ə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce pentobarbital (audio)
: a granular barbiturate used especially in the form of its sodium salt C11H17N2NaO3 or calcium salt (C11H17N2O3)2Ca as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic

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