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

Attorneys for the state said the fluid is not unusual for executions by a large dose of pentobarbital and cited witnesses who said the inmates executed in the state so far have only been conscious and breathing for about a minute after the process begins. —Landon Mion, Fox News, 22 Feb. 2025

Central time, 15 minutes after a lethal dose of the powerful sedative pentobarbital was administered in his arms. —Jim Vertuno and Michael Graczyk, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025

With the passage of a shield law, officials secured a compounding pharmacy willing to provide pentobarbital under conditions of anonymity. —Amir Daftari, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

The Idaho Department of Correction has since had more consistent access to pentobarbital, the state’s preferred chemical for lethal injections. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 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