methadone

noun

meth·​a·​done ˈme-thə-ˌdōn How to pronounce methadone (audio)
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
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.
More specifically, taking methadone or Suboxone during pregnancy can cause neonatal abstinence syndrome. Patricia Weiser, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 25 Oct. 2024 For nearly a decade, methadone has helped Stephanie juggle jobs and take care of her kids. Kim Krisberg, NPR, 16 Sep. 2024 And deaths involving synthetic opioids — not including methadone — increased in 2021 with 70,601 overdose deaths. Bianca Moreno-Paz, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024 Injectable drug users were offered opioid substitution therapy such as methadone or buprenorphine, which provided them with a pathway to stabilize and eventually tackle their addiction. David Cox, NPR, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for methadone 

Word History

Etymology

methyl + amino + diphenyl + -one

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methadone was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near methadone

Cite this Entry

“Methadone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methadone. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

methadone

noun
meth·​a·​done ˈmeth-ə-ˌdōn How to pronounce methadone (audio)
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 How to pronounce methadone (audio)
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!