intoxication

noun

in·​tox·​i·​ca·​tion in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: the condition of having physical or mental control markedly diminished by the effects of alcohol or drugs

drank to the point of intoxication

cocaine intoxication

b

: a strong excitement or elation

The mere knowledge that they are on an island, a little world entirely surrounded by the sea, fills them with an indescribable intoxication …

—Christine Osborne

2

: an abnormal state that is essentially a poisoning

carbon monoxide intoxication

Synonyms

• drunkenness
• inebriation
• inebriety

Examples of intoxication in a Sentence

there's a firm distinction between the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages and overindulgence to the point of intoxication

the intoxication felt by two people who have just fallen in love

Recent Examples on the Web

There were other charges filed against Strickland as a result of the April crash, but only the vehicular homicide by intoxication charge was prosecuted as part of the plea. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 21 Dec. 2024

Johnson was taken into police custody around 3 p.m. Monday and charged with public intoxication and possession of an open container, according to an incident report from the Greenville Police Department. —Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024

Her cause of death was determined to be untreated pneumonia, combined with anemia and drug intoxication from prescription and over-the-counter medications, including painkillers and cold medicine. —Mackenzie Schmidt, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024

The only time in U.S. history a constitutional amendment has been repealed was when the 18th Amendment prohibiting the manufacture, sale and transportation of intoxication liquors, better known as prohibition, was repealed in 1933 through the addition of the 21st Amendment, LeRoy noted. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

intoxication

noun

in·​tox·​i·​ca·​tion in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: an unhealthy state that is or is like a poisoning

carbon monoxide intoxication

b

: the condition of being drunk

2

: a strong excitement or elation

the intoxication of success

Medical Definition

intoxication

noun

in·​tox·​i·​ca·​tion in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: an abnormal state that is essentially a poisoning

hypokalemia potentiates digoxin intoxication

—W. H. Abelmann et al.

no evidence of cocaine intoxication

—Margaret M. McCarron et al.

acute carbon monoxide intoxication

2

: the condition of being drunk : inebriation

Legal Definition

intoxication

noun

in·​tox·​i·​ca·​tion in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the state or condition of being intoxicated

2

: a defense based on inability to form the requisite specific intent to commit a crime due to intoxication