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

Drugs found in his system included methadone, tramadol (a painkiller) and alprazolam. —Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026

During intake, Patton reported a history of fentanyl use and said he was enrolled in a methadone treatment program. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

Smiley Martin died in custody in 2024 from methadone toxicity. —Richard Ramos, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

Notably, however, this doesn’t deviate from Biden administration initiatives to bolster access to methadone and buprenorphine as well as the opioid antidote naloxone. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

methyl + amino + diphenyl + -one

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for methadone

• acetone
• anglophone
• baritone
• bourguignon
• buspirone
• chaperon
• chaperone
• cobblestone
• collarbone
• cornerstone
• cortisone
• dictaphone

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