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

He was executed with a lethal dose of the depressant drug pentobarbital, according to the outlet. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024

One needle carrying the lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital was inserted in his right arm, the usual procedure. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 25 Sep. 2024

Williams will be administered a 5-gram dose of pentobarbital in accordance with the state of Missouri's lethal injection protocol. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024

The barbiturates and pentobarbital used for the murder are real—just don’t get any ideas, OK? Related: Wait, Was Dakota Fanning Pregnant in The Perfect Couple? —Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 10 Sep. 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