Definition of "phenobarbital" [phenobarbital]

• A crystalline barbiturate, C12H12N2O3, used medicinally as a sedative, a hypnotic, and an anticonvulsant. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Dr. Rosenbaum prescribes a bitter-smelling anticonvulsant called phenobarbital."
• "Well, they created a poison using pudding and applesauce, they laced it with vodka and a drug called phenobarbital, a barbiturate fatal in large doses."
• "(Unfortunately, many doctors prescribe it as first choice when cheaper drugs such as phenobarbital or phenytoin are likely to work as well or better.)"