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

The publication also quotes a medical expert who observed that pentobarbital, the single-drug barbiturate used in Black’s execution, “should cause rapid unconsciousness. It sounds like this did not occur.”

From Slate • Aug. 8, 2025

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

Under the policy, the state’s top prison official would be required, in one execution drug protocol, to use the barbiturate pentobarbital that’s obtained by lawyers for inmates or someone acting on their behalf.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 17, 2017

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