methadone

noun

meth·​a·​done ˈme-thə-ˌdōn 

variants or less commonly methadon

ˈme-thə-ˌdän 

: 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

Ryan Carter, 58, quit heroin last year by enrolling in a methadone program a few blocks away and filled his days with watching action movies in his spartan one-bedroom apartment. —Jessica Gallagher, New York Times, 3 June 2024

The advocacy effort is designed explicitly to fight efforts to make methadone available outside the context of specialized methadone clinics, which are also known as opioid treatment programs or OTPs. —Lev Facher, STAT, 28 May 2024

Official documents from the Los Angeles County coroner’s office revealed the late actress had cocaine, methadone, ethanol and opiates in her system. —Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024

Deaths due to heroin, methadone and prescription painkillers have been declining. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

methyl + amino + diphenyl + -one

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

methadone

noun

meth·​a·​done ˈmeth-ə-ˌdōn 

variants also methadon

-ˌdän 

: 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

-ˌdän 

: 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