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

Arizona previously used a mixture of drugs to carry out lethal injections but now only uses a compounded form of pentobarbital. —Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024

South Carolina previously used a mixture of three drugs, but will now use one drug, the sedative pentobarbital, for lethal injections in a protocol similar to that of the federal government. —Landon Mion, Fox News, 8 Sep. 2024

The glass could’ve been how Abby got the pentobarbital in Merritt’s system. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2024

Fourteen states have used pentobarbital in executions, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. —Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 26 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

penta- + -o- + barbital

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

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