Standard Lemma guide

phenytoin

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /fɛˈnɪt.əʊ.ɪn/
  • General-American: /fəˈnɪt.oʊ.ɪn/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A synthetic compound related to hydantoin, used as an anticonvulsant in the treatment of epilepsy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: medicine, pharmacology, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

an anticonvulsant drug (trade name Dilantin) used to treat epilepsy and that is not a sedative

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: diphenylhydantoin, Dilantin

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: hydantoin

History

Etymology

Contraction of diphenylhydantoin.