barbiturate

[ bahr-bich-er-it, -uh-reyt; bahr-bi-too r-it, -eyt, -tyoo r- ]

/ bɑrˈbɪtʃ ər ɪt, -əˌreɪt; ˌbɑr bɪˈtʊər ɪt, -eɪt, -ˈtyʊər- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR barbiturate ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Pharmacology.

any of a group of barbituric acid derivatives, used in medicine as sedatives and hypnotics.

Nearby words

barbie doll, barbirolli, barbital, barbitalism, barbitone, barbiturate, barbiturates, barbituric, barbituric acid, barbiturism, barbizon school

Origin of barbiturate

First recorded in 1925–30; barbitur(ic) + -ate²

Related forms

non·bar·bit·u·rate, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for barbiturate

barbiturate

/ (bɑːˈbɪtjʊrɪt, -ˌreɪt) /

noun

a derivative of barbituric acid, such as phenobarbital, used in medicine as a sedative, hypnotic, or anticonvulsant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for barbiturate

barbiturate

[ bär-bĭch′ər-ĭt, -ə-rāt′, bär′bĭ-tur′ĭt, -āt′ ]

n.

A salt or ester of barbituric acid.

Any of a group of barbituric acid derivatives that act as central nervous system depressants and are used as sedatives or hypnotics.

Science definitions for barbiturate

barbiturate

[ bär-bĭch′ər-ĭt ]

Any of a group of drugs that act as depressants of the central nervous system, are highly addictive, and are used primarily as sedatives and anticonvulsants. Phenobarbital and pentobarbital are examples of barbiturates.