: a narcotic analgesic C18H21NO4 used especially in the form of its hydrochloride

Examples of oxycodone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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That binding — along with effects similar to opioid drugs such as heroin, oxycodone or fentanyl — makes kratom an opioid-like drug, though its biological effects are weaker than those of typical opioids. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026 Szramowski provided one service member assigned to the ship with 10 counterfeit oxycodone pills in December 2022, according to court records. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026 Hospital officials reportedly found an allergy medicine inside the patient's prescription bottle, not the prescribed oxycodone, after Wolken exited the bathroom and returned the bottle for the patient to pick up, according to the case document. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026 In the cases of Perry and Miller, prosecutors ultimately secured convictions for the people who supplied Perry with ketamine and Miller with cocaine and oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oxycodone

Word History

Etymology

oxy + codeine + -one

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oxycodone was in 1963

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oxycodone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxycodone. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

Medical Definition

oxycodone

noun
: a narcotic analgesic C18H21NO4 used especially in the form of its hydrochloride C18H21NO4·HCl to relieve moderate to severe pain

Note: Oxycodone is marketed under the trademarks OxyContin, Percocet, and Percodan.

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