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methadone
noun
meth·a·done
ˈme-thə-ˌdōn
variants
or less commonly methadon
: a synthetic addictive narcotic drug C21H27NO used especially in the form of its hydrochloride for the relief of pain and as a substitute narcotic in the treatment of heroin addiction
Examples of methadone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Opioids such as heroin, morphine and methadone were the most common drugs connected to fatalities, being implicated in 937 deaths.
—
Stephen Castle, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Using anything else is something like substituting methadone for heroin.
—
Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2025
Currently, 80% of U.S. counties do not have access to methadone treatment, according to Sue.
—
Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
San Francisco public health experts attributed the decline to the widespread availability of naloxone, a medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of opioid overdoses, as well as more emphasis on prescribing buprenorphine and methadone, medications that treat opioid addiction long-term.
—
Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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Word History
Etymology
methyl + amino + diphenyl + -one
First Known Use
1947, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near methadone
Cite this Entry
“Methadone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methadone. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
methadone
noun
meth·a·done
ˈmeth-ə-ˌdōn
variants
also methadon
: a narcotic drug C21H27NO that is used to replace heroin in the treatment of heroin addiction
Medical Definition
methadone
noun
meth·a·done
ˈmeth-ə-ˌdōn
variants
also methadon
: a synthetic addictive narcotic drug used especially in the form of its hydrochloride C21H27NO·HCl for the relief of pain and as a substitute narcotic in the treatment of heroin addiction
called also amidone
More from Merriam-Webster on methadone
Nglish: Translation of methadone for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about methadone
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