benzodiazepine
noun
ben·zo·di·az·e·pine ˌben-zō-dī-ˈa-zə-ˌpēn 
: any of a group of aromatic lipophilic amines (such as diazepam and chlordiazepoxide) used especially as tranquilizers
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine sedative, like diazepam (Valium) and others. 
Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2022 Two of the Peak patients Rolling Stone spoke with said they were not questioned about their alcohol use nor their benzodiazepine use during the intake. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2022 Her mix of psychotropic pills shifted, expanded: antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, an antidepressant, a benzodiazepine for anxiety, a stimulant for attention deficit. New York Times, 17 May 2022 Glover's lawyer, Scottie Celestin, said Jolly died from a dose of the sedative benzodiazepine that was given to him at a hospital, not from the stab wounds. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2022 Unknown to the recipient, the powder was a benzodiazepine, a class of depressants that includes drugs like Xanax, and was delivered in a dose large enough to purposely knock him out. Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2022 For one scan, the team gave each person a low dose of Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine known to enhance the effect of GABA. Max G. Levy, Wired, 22 Nov. 2021 Bryce Pardo, a drug policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, said even though Xanax is a benzodiazepine, traffickers might be substituting fentanyl because of its similar sedating effect. John Keilman, chicagotribune.com, 9 Nov. 2021 Her first night in the hospital, Megan was started on a new drug regimen: the antipsychotic Zyprexa, along with Ativan, a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety. David Kortava, Harper's Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021 See More
Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2022 Two of the Peak patients Rolling Stone spoke with said they were not questioned about their alcohol use nor their benzodiazepine use during the intake. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2022 Her mix of psychotropic pills shifted, expanded: antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, an antidepressant, a benzodiazepine for anxiety, a stimulant for attention deficit. New York Times, 17 May 2022 Glover's lawyer, Scottie Celestin, said Jolly died from a dose of the sedative benzodiazepine that was given to him at a hospital, not from the stab wounds. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2022 Unknown to the recipient, the powder was a benzodiazepine, a class of depressants that includes drugs like Xanax, and was delivered in a dose large enough to purposely knock him out. Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2022 For one scan, the team gave each person a low dose of Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine known to enhance the effect of GABA. Max G. Levy, Wired, 22 Nov. 2021 Bryce Pardo, a drug policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, said even though Xanax is a benzodiazepine, traffickers might be substituting fentanyl because of its similar sedating effect. John Keilman, chicagotribune.com, 9 Nov. 2021 Her first night in the hospital, Megan was started on a new drug regimen: the antipsychotic Zyprexa, along with Ativan, a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety. David Kortava, Harper's Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
benz- + di- + az- + -epine (from hepta- + -ine entry 2)
First Known Use
1934, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
benzodiazepine
noun
ben·zo·di·az·e·pine ˌben-zō-dī-ˈaz-ə-ˌpēn
: any of a group of aromatic lipophilic amines (as diazepam and chlordiazepoxide) used especially as tranquilizers