methadone

[ meth-uh-dohn ]

/ ˈmɛθ əˌdoʊn /

Save This Word!

noun Pharmacology.

a synthetic narcotic, C21H28ClNO, similar to morphine but effective orally, used in the relief of pain and as a heroin substitute in the treatment of heroin addiction.

COMPARE MEANINGS

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also meth·a·don

[meth-uh-don]. /ˈmɛθ əˌdɒn/.

Origin of methadone

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50; meth(yl) + a(mino) + d(iphenyl) + (heptan)one

Words nearby methadone

meth, methacetin, methacrylate, methacrylate resin, methacrylic acid, methadone, methadone hydrochloride, methaemoglobin, methamphetamine, methamphetamine hydrochloride, methanal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use methadone in a sentence

Decades of evidence show medications like methadone and buprenorphine reduce mortality rates among patients by half or more and keep people in treatment longer.
The opioid epidemic isn’t unsolvable|German Lopez|July 23, 2021|Vox
In October, researchers in Spain began testing ibogaine in 20 people trying to wean themselves off methadone.
Inside Ibogaine, One of the Most Promising and Perilous Psychedelics for Addiction|Mandy Oaklander|April 5, 2021|Time
Mark Sinatra stopped a couple leaving a methadone clinic in Queens.
What It Looks Like When the New York City Police Commissioner Has “Unchecked Power” Over Officer Discipline|by Mollie Simon, Lena V. Groeger, Eric Umansky and Adriana Gallardo|December 11, 2020|ProPublica
These places should benefit from the expansion of methadone programs and other medication-assisted treatment, which is endorsed by the American Medical Association.
Oregon Just Decriminalized All Drugs – Here’s Why Voters Passed This Groundbreaking Reform|LGBTQ-Editor|December 10, 2020|No Straight News

Strung out on heroin and taking methadone every day, Kerwin was counting on Maine to protect her legal rights.
She Was Afraid of Her Lawyer. Then the Text Messages Started.|by Samantha Hogan, The Maine Monitor|October 8, 2020|ProPublica
The research also showed that once the patients stabilized on methadone, there was a decrease in their cannabis use.
Is Weed the Secret to Beating Opiate Addiction?|Tracey Mitchell, Abby Haglage|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The three main types of medication for opiate withdrawal and recovery are methadone, buphrenorphine, and naltrexone.
Is Weed the Secret to Beating Opiate Addiction?|Tracey Mitchell, Abby Haglage|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jay died of a methadone overdose three years after his suicide attempt.
The Stacks: The Judas Priest Teen Suicide Trial|Ivan Solotaroff|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I went through a methadone program and it helped, but then you get hooked on that.
The Stacks: The Neville Brothers Stake Their Claim as Bards of the Bayou|John Ed Bradley|April 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“In dealing with heroin addicts for example, they were given free methadone and heroin,” says Van Bakkum.
Why Everyone Should Copy Amsterdam’s Beer-for-Work Scheme|Nadette De Visser|January 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for methadone

methadone

methadon (ˈmɛθəˌdɒn)

/ (ˈmɛθəˌdəʊn) /

noun

a narcotic analgesic drug similar to morphine, used to treat opiate addiction. Formula: C 21 H 27 NO

Word Origin for methadone

C20: from (di) meth (yl) + a (mino) + d (iphenyl) + -one

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

Cultural definitions for methadone

methadone

[ (meth-uh-dohn) ]

An analgesic that is sometimes used in the treatment of drug addiction.