pentobarbital

[pen-tuh-bahr-bi-tawl, -tal]

noun

Pharmacology.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pentobarbital¹

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

Example Sentences

That review comes at a time when states have turned to pentobarbital due to a shortage of other lethal injection drugs.

From Salon

A federal court appeal focuses on how Missouri injects the fatal dose of pentobarbital.

From Seattle Times

Pye, 59, is scheduled to be receive a lethal injection using the sedative pentobarbital.

From Seattle Times

Prison officials have said they get the sedative pentobarbital from a compounding pharmacy whose identity is shielded by state law.

From Seattle Times

Georgia executions are carried out at the state prison in Jackson by injection of the sedative pentobarbital.

From Seattle Times