pentobarbital
noun
pen·to·bar·bi·tal
ˌpen-tə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl 
: 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
Autopsies conducted on two inmates executed since South Carolina switched its lethal injection method to massive doses of pentobarbital revealed significant fluid buildup in their lungs.
—
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
The autopsy report has been released for only one of the executions: Richard Moore, who prison officials say was given two large doses of the sedative pentobarbital 11 minutes apart on Nov. 1.
Freddie Owens, the first inmate killed with the new protocols, refused an autopsy for religious reasons.
—CBS News, 4 Mar. 2025
At the time, the state was out of pentobarbital, the drug used in lethal injections.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
King argued that the state must disclose more information about the protocol and the quality of its pentobarbital on hand in order for Sigmon to have made a fair choice.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pentobarbital
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
The autopsy report has been released for only one of the executions: Richard Moore, who prison officials say was given two large doses of the sedative pentobarbital 11 minutes apart on Nov. 1.
Freddie Owens, the first inmate killed with the new protocols, refused an autopsy for religious reasons.
—CBS News, 4 Mar. 2025
At the time, the state was out of pentobarbital, the drug used in lethal injections.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
King argued that the state must disclose more information about the protocol and the quality of its pentobarbital on hand in order for Sigmon to have made a fair choice.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pentobarbital
Cite this Entry
“Pentobarbital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pentobarbital. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
pentobarbital
noun
pen·to·bar·bi·tal
ˌpent-ə-ˈbär-bə-ˌtȯl
: a granular barbiturate used especially in the form of its sodium salt C11H17N2NaO3 or calcium salt (C11H17N2O3)2Ca as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share