barbiturate

noun

bar·​bi·​tu·​rate bär-ˈbi-chə-rət How to pronounce barbiturate (audio)
-ˌrāt;
ˌbär-bə-ˈtyu̇r-ət,
-ˈtu̇r-,
-ˌāt;
 nonstandard  bär-ˈbi-chə-wət
1
: a salt or ester of barbituric acid
2
: any of various derivatives of barbituric acid (such as phenobarbital) that are used especially as sedatives, hypnotics, and antispasmodics and are often addictive

Examples of barbiturate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Drugs that may cause a problem include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, chlorpromazine, reserpine, and tricyclic antidepressants. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Jan. 2024 On September 10, 1971, she was found dead in her Beverly Hills home from an accidental barbiturate overdose. Giacomo Aricò, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2024 Garland died in 1969 of an accidental barbiturate overdose at age 47. Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 The studio gave the then-teenager barbiturates and amphetamines designed to wake her up in the morning, fall asleep at night, and control her weight. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2023 As an infant, he was given phenobarbital, a highly addictive barbiturate. Sarah Hepola, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2023 Jimi Hendrix had asphyxiated after ingesting a massive quantity of barbiturates that September. Will Hermes, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2023 The autopsy report contains no evidence that the barbiturates had reached her liver or other vital organs. Town & Country, 28 July 2023 Medical tests on the children uncovered traces of barbiturates and benzodiazepines – two types of central nervous system depressant. Jack Guy, CNN, 21 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'barbiturate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of barbiturate was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near barbiturate

Cite this Entry

“Barbiturate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbiturate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

barbiturate

noun
bar·​bit·​u·​rate
bär-ˈbich-ə-rət,
-ˌrāt,
ˌbär-bə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət,
-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r-ˌāt
: any of various drugs related to barbituric acid that are used especially to calm or to produce sleep and are often habit-forming

Medical Definition

barbiturate

noun
bar·​bi·​tu·​rate bär-ˈbich-ə-rət How to pronounce barbiturate (audio) -ˌrāt; ˌbär-bə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət How to pronounce barbiturate (audio)
-ˈt(y)u̇(ə)r-ˌāt
1
: a salt or ester of barbituric acid
2
: any of various derivatives of barbituric acid (as phenobarbital) that are used especially as sedatives, hypnotics, and antispasmodics and are often addictive

More from Merriam-Webster on barbiturate

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