barbiturate

American  

[bahr-bich-er-it, -uh-reyt, bahr-bi-toor-it, -eyt, -tyoor-] / bɑrˈbɪtʃ ər ɪt, -əˌreɪt, ˌbɑr bɪˈtʊər ɪt, -eɪt, -ˈtyʊər- /

noun

Pharmacology.

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

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barbiturate British  

/ -ˌreɪt, bɑːˈbɪtjʊrɪt /

noun

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

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barbiturate Scientific  

/ bär-bĭch′ər-ĭt /

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• nonbarbiturate noun

Etymology

Origin of barbiturate

First recorded in 1925–30; barbitur(ic) + -ate ²

Example Sentences

Some switched to using a single drug, the barbiturate pentobarbital, which is a sedative and anticonvulsant often used before surgeries or to treat epilepsy.

From Scientific American • Sep. 23, 2022

But conspiracists wondering why the deputy medical examiner who performed the autopsy found no barbiturate residue in the 36-year-old movie star’s stomach if she ingested the drugs orally were disappointed by the answers.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2022

Saturday’s hearing primarily focused on whether the barbiturate sodium pentobarbital that was compounded into a solution by a licensed pharmacist met expiration guidelines.

From Seattle Times • May 7, 2022

Instead of the three-drug protocol, the federal government plans to use pentobarbital, a barbiturate used often in veterinary medicine and physician-assisted suicides.

From Slate • Jul. 25, 2019

Instead, the state should look to use a compounded version of pentobarbital, a barbiturate, the judge said.

From Washington Times • Jan. 27, 2017

Related Words

• medication
• narcotic
• opiate
• sleeping pill