barbiturate

noun

bar·​bi·​tu·​rate bär-ˈbi-chə-rət 

-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

Under Tennessee’s lethal injection protocol, the drug given is pentobarbital, a barbiturate that acts on the central nervous system. — Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026

The protocol approves only a one-drug method of lethal injection, specifically pentobarbital, a barbiturate that can cause death. — Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Pike was heard snoring loudly as the barbiturate meant to kill her entered her system without ending her life. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026

Garland died from an accidental barbiturate overdose on June 22, 1969. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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  -ˌrāt; ˌbär-bə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət 

-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