pentobarbital

noun
pen·​to·​bar·​bi·​tal | \ ˌpen-tə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce pentobarbital (audio) \

Definition of pentobarbital

: a granular barbiturate C11H18N2O3 used especially in the form of its sodium or calcium salt as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic

Examples of pentobarbital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For the executions, the government will use one drug, pentobarbital, instead of a three-drug cocktail. Hanna Kozlowska, Quartz, "The federal government schedules 5 executions after bringing back the death penalty," 25 July 2019 Barr chose a single death drug — pentobarbital — and ordered officials to schedule the executions of five men convicted of especially heinous murders of children. Eugene Robinson, The Mercury News, "Robinson: After Mueller, Trump’s wrecking ball keeps swinging," 26 July 2019 Fourteen states have used pentobarbital in more than 200 executions, and the Supreme Court has upheld the use of the drug. Kristine Phillips, USA TODAY, "Justice Department resumes capital punishment after nearly two decades, orders executions of five inmates," 25 July 2019 The executions will involve a single drug called pentobarbital, replacing a prior three-drug cocktail. Lauren Castle, azcentral, "Arizona man short-listed for federal execution after killing woman and her granddaughter," 25 July 2019 Barr approved a new procedure for lethal injections that replaces the three-drug cocktail previously used in federal execution with a single drug, pentobarbital. Colleen Long, Twin Cities, "US government will execute inmates for first time since 2003," 26 July 2019 Currently, the Lone Star State uses a single drug, the barbiturate pentobarbital, in its executions. Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Arkansas death row inmates want to know where Texas gets its death drugs," 26 June 2018 Barr approved a new procedure for lethal injections that replaces the three-drug cocktail previously used in federal execution with a single drug, pentobarbital. Colleen Long, Twin Cities, "US government will execute inmates for first time since 2003," 26 July 2019 When Barr announced on Thursday that the DOJ will be bringing back the death penalty after reversing a 16-year moratorium, five individuals were in the same breath scheduled to executed using pentobarbital. Breanna Edwards, Essence, "Rep. Ayanna Pressley Introduces Bill To Put An End To Federal Death Penalty," 26 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pentobarbital.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of pentobarbital

1931, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for pentobarbital

penta- + -o- + barbital

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More Definitions for pentobarbital

pentobarbital

noun
pen·​to·​bar·​bi·​tal | \ ˌpent-ə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce pentobarbital (audio) \

Medical Definition of pentobarbital

: a granular barbiturate used especially in the form of its sodium salt C11H17N2NaO3 or calcium salt (C11H17N2O3)2Ca as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic