oxycodone

noun

oxy·​co·​done ˌäk-sē-ˈkō-ˌdōn How to pronounce oxycodone (audio)
: a narcotic analgesic C18H21NO4 used especially in the form of its hydrochloride

Examples of oxycodone 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.
That year, the head trainer of the Commanders was found to have been illegally distributing oxycodone to players — an unsettling reminder of the NFL's difficult history with painkillers. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 More recently came a 2020 investigation of the head trainer for the Washington Commanders for illegally distributing oxycodone to players. — Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 The different doctors who did not adopt a holistic approach, and in fact did not even speak with each others, the prescription of oxycodone for neck pain to a woman whose liver was already failing are some the examples that led to her demise. — Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Dale Morant was living in his car in a Walmart parking lot and doing a lot of oxycodone or other sedatives. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oxycodone

Word History

Etymology

oxy + codeine + -one

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oxycodone was in 1963

Rhymes for oxycodone

See All Rhymes for oxycodone

Browse Nearby Words

Oxycoccus
oxycodone
oxycyanide
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oxycodone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxycodone. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

oxycodone

noun
oxy·​co·​done -ˈkō-ˌdōn How to pronounce oxycodone (audio)
: a narcotic analgesic C18H21NO4 used especially in the form of its hydrochloride C18H21NO4·HCl to relieve moderate to severe pain

Note: Oxycodone is marketed under the trademarks OxyContin, Percocet, and Percodan.

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