pentobarbital

noun

pen·​to·​bar·​bi·​tal ˌpen-tə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce pentobarbital (audio)
: 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

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prison staff gave Pike two doses of pentobarbital, the drug used for lethal injections. — Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026 On September 30th, the state of Tennessee bungled its attempt to kill Christa Pike, who survived two injections of pentobarbital. — Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026 If Christa Pike's recovery from two doses of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital has left her mentally impaired, she could be spared from her death sentence, according to a leading expert on capital punishment in the United States. — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 In Tennessee, Christa Pike survived an execution attempt two weeks ago despite receiving two lethal doses of pentobarbital. — David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pentobarbital

Word History

Etymology

penta- + -o- + barbital

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pentobarbital was in 1931

Rhymes for pentobarbital

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Browse Nearby Words

Pentlatch
pentobarbital
pentobarbitone
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pentobarbital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pentobarbital. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

pentobarbital

noun
pen·​to·​bar·​bi·​tal ˌpent-ə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce pentobarbital (audio)
: a granular barbiturate used especially in the form of its sodium salt C11H17N2NaO3 or calcium salt (C11H17N2O3)2Ca as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic

More from Merriam-Webster on pentobarbital

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pentobarbital

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