benzodiazepine

IPA/ˌben.zəʊ.daɪˈæz.ə.piːn/
KK[bˌɛnzodiˈæzəpin]IPA/ˌben.zoʊ.daɪˈæz.ə.piːn/

benzodiazepine — noun

  • benzodiazepinesingular
  • benzodiazepinesplural

1. a type of drug given by doctors to reduce strong feelings of worry, help a perso

1.nounC2
Definition

a type of drug given by doctors to reduce strong feelings of worry, help a person sleep, relax tight muscles, or stop seizures

Example

After the earthquake, the clinic gave Fernando a low dose of benzodiazepine to help him sleep through the night.

a low dose of benzodiazepine

Dr. Hassan prescribed a benzodiazepine for Nia's muscle spasms, but warned her about the risk of dependence.

Common collocations
  • prescribe a benzodiazepine
  • take a benzodiazepine
  • low dose of benzodiazepine
  • benzodiazepine dependence
  • benzodiazepine withdrawal
  • benzodiazepine addiction
Synonyms
  • tranquilizer

    broader term that includes other drug classes with calming effects, not just benzodiazepines

  • sedative

    general term for any drug that slows down brain activity; benzodiazepines are one type of sedative

  • sleeping pill

    informal term focusing only on the sleep-inducing use; many sleeping pills are not benzodiazepines

  • anti-anxiety medication

    broader category that includes benzodiazepines as well as other drug types such as SSRIs

Antonyms
  • stimulant

    a drug that increases activity and alertness, producing the opposite effect of a benzodiazepine

Usage Note

Often used in the plural form 'benzodiazepines' when referring to the drug class as a whole. This is a technical medical term, not common in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

The doctor gave me a benzodiazepine for my headache.
The doctor gave me a benzodiazepine for my anxiety.
Benzodiazepines are not used for ordinary headaches; they treat anxiety, sleep problems, seizures, and muscle conditions.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe drugs that calm the nervous system, but they differ in scope and register. 'Tranquilizer' is a broad term for any drug that reduces anxiety without causing sleep; it can be a benzodiazepine or a different class such as a barbiturate. 'Sedative' is even wider — it includes any agent that slows down brain activity, from mild herbal remedies to strong hospital anaesthetics. 'Sleeping pill' is an informal, everyday word that focuses only on the sleep-inducing effect; many over-the-counter sleeping aids are antihistamines, not benzodiazepines. 'Anti-anxiety medication' is a patient-friendly label that covers both benzodiazepines (fast-acting, short-term) and SSRIs or buspirone (long-term daily use). For example, a doctor might prescribe a benzodiazepine for acute panic but suggest an SSRI as an anti-anxiety medication for ongoing worry.

tranquilizer ↗sedativesleeping pillanti-anxiety medication

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • prescribe a benzodiazepine
  • take a benzodiazepine
  • a low dose of benzodiazepine
  • benzodiazepine use disorder

Etymology

ArabicGermanLatinGreekEnglish

The word combines 'benzo-' (from benzene, referring to the six-carbon ring in the chemical structure), 'di-' (meaning two), and 'azepine' (a seven-membered ring containing one nitrogen atom). The first benzodiazepine drug, chlordiazepoxide, was developed in 1955 by chemist Leo Sternbach at Hoffmann-La Roche. The name describes the core chemical structure shared by all drugs in this class.