phenobarbital
noun
phe·no·bar·bi·tal
ˌfē-nō-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl 
: a crystalline barbiturate C12H12N2O3 used as a hypnotic, sedative, and anticonvulsant
Examples of phenobarbital in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Pregnant or nursing people, children under three years old, and those taking sedative medications like Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam) or depressants such as Nembutal (phenobarbital) should avoid Valerian.
—
Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 23 July 2024
Blood tests found traces of sedatives, including phenobarbital and benzodiazepines, in at least eight children at a private kindergarten in New Taipei City, according to the local Education Department.
—Riley Zhang, NBC News, 21 June 2023
As an infant, he was given phenobarbital, a highly addictive barbiturate.
—Sarah Hepola, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023
The city Health Department said Monday that four doctors had been found to have improperly given children drugs containing phenobarbital.
—Riley Zhang, NBC News, 21 June 2023
Kindergarten teachers in Taiwan have been accused of drugging their students after blood tests found traces of sedatives, including phenobarbital and benzodiazepines, in at least eight children.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 21 June 2023
Additionally, medications like phenobarbital, for example, have also been shown in some people to cause depression.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2023
In separate groups, Applewhite and his followers mixed the barbiturate phenobarbital into applesauce and washed it down with a swig of vodka, tying plastic bags over their heads to assure asphyxiation.
—Mary Ellen Cagnassola, PEOPLE.com, 26 Mar. 2022
The case of Brandon Bernard, who received a lethal injection of phenobarbital at a U.S. prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, was a rare execution of a person who was in his teens when his crime was committed.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Dec. 2020
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Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 23 July 2024
Blood tests found traces of sedatives, including phenobarbital and benzodiazepines, in at least eight children at a private kindergarten in New Taipei City, according to the local Education Department.
—Riley Zhang, NBC News, 21 June 2023
As an infant, he was given phenobarbital, a highly addictive barbiturate.
—Sarah Hepola, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023
The city Health Department said Monday that four doctors had been found to have improperly given children drugs containing phenobarbital.
—Riley Zhang, NBC News, 21 June 2023
Kindergarten teachers in Taiwan have been accused of drugging their students after blood tests found traces of sedatives, including phenobarbital and benzodiazepines, in at least eight children.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 21 June 2023
Additionally, medications like phenobarbital, for example, have also been shown in some people to cause depression.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2023
In separate groups, Applewhite and his followers mixed the barbiturate phenobarbital into applesauce and washed it down with a swig of vodka, tying plastic bags over their heads to assure asphyxiation.
—Mary Ellen Cagnassola, PEOPLE.com, 26 Mar. 2022
The case of Brandon Bernard, who received a lethal injection of phenobarbital at a U.S. prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, was a rare execution of a person who was in his teens when his crime was committed.
—The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Dec. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Phenobarbital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenobarbital. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
phenobarbital
noun
phe·no·bar·bi·tal
ˌfē-nō-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl
: a drug that is a barbiturate used to calm one down and cause sleep
Medical Definition
phenobarbital
noun
phe·no·bar·bi·tal
ˌfē-nō-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl, -tȧl
: a crystalline barbiturate C12H12N2O3 that is used orally or is administered by injection in the form of its sodium salt C12H11N2NaO3 as a hypnotic and sedative see luminal
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