pentobarbital

American  

[pen-tuh-bahr-bi-tawl, -tal] / ˌpɛn təˈbɑr bɪˌtɔl, -ˌtæl /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a barbiturate, C 1 1 H 1 7 N 2 O 3 , used as a hypnotic and as a sedative.

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Etymology

Origin of pentobarbital

1930–35; pent- ( def. ) + -o- + barbital

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pentobarbital

Pike survived her scheduled execution after receiving two doses of pentobarbital, a sedative that more than a dozen states use for capital punishment, in September.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

She remained alive after two doses of the lethal sedative pentobarbital, which may have entered her arm tissue instead of her bloodstream.

From Slate ● Oct. 7, 2026

A court filing described pentobarbital as a caustic substance that burns skin, tissue and veins.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

According to some outside medical experts, she likely “survived the procedure because the drug, pentobarbital, probably poured into tissue surrounding the insertion sites instead of entering her bloodstream.”

From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026

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

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