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diazepam

American  
[dahy-az-uh-pam] / daɪˈæz əˌpæm /

noun

Pharmacology.
  1. a benzodiazepine, C 16 H 13 ClN 2 O, used for alleviation of anxiety and tension, as a hypnotic, a muscle relaxant, and an anticonvulsant, and in alcohol withdrawal.


diazepam British  
/ daɪˈæzəˌpæm /

noun

  1. a chemical compound used as a minor tranquillizer and muscle relaxant and to treat acute epilepsy. Formula: C 16 H 13 ClN 2 O

"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

diazepam Scientific  
/ dī-ăzə-păm′ /
  1. A drug, C 16 H 13 ClN 2 O, used in the treatment of anxiety and as a sedative, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant.


Etymology

Origin of diazepam

First recorded in 1960–65; (benzo)diazep(ine) + -am (of uncertain origin)

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The team found that diazepam can support this coordinated activity in their experiments.

From Science Daily • Dec. 10, 2025

The number of patients prescribed diazepam has also fallen by 13%, from 101,663 in 2014 to 88,717 in 2023.

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2024

The plan doubles the number of possible injections of the sedative from four for diazepam to 10 for midazolam.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 3, 2018

An autopsy later found that she had been experiencing delirium tremens caused by withdrawal from diazepam, an anti-anxiety medication that P.T.S. staff members said they were never informed she was taking.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2016

When the team mutated the 2 subunit, diazepam lost its anxiety-reducing effects, suggesting that the anti-anxiety effect of the drug operates through this receptor subtype.

From Nature • May 22, 2013