pentobarbital
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of pentobarbital
1930–35; pent- ( def. ) + -o- + barbital
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 memo also defends the use of lethal injection, calling the drug pentobarbital "the gold standard of lethal injection drugs".
From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026
The department said it has ordered the Bureau of Prisons to reinstate the execution protocol adopted during the first Trump administration, which relies on pentobarbital as the lethal agent.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
It also noted, “Whether the pentobarbital had not worked as intended or the implanted heart device repeatedly shocked Black as predicted was not clear.”
From Slate ● Aug. 8, 2025
That review comes at a time when states have turned to pentobarbital due to a shortage of other lethal injection drugs.
From Salon ● Jan. 21, 2025
When the vet injected the sodium pentobarbital, Neil fluttered her eyes, assumed a nap position, and died.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
