1
a
: the measured quantity of a therapeutic agent to be taken at one time
b
: the quantity of radiation administered or absorbed
2
: a portion of a substance added during a process
3
: an amount of something likened to a prescribed or measured quantity of medicine
a daily dose of hard work
a dose of scandal
4
: a gonorrheal infection
dosed; dosing
1
: to give a dose to
especially
: to give medicine to
2
: to divide into doses
dose a medicine
3
: to treat with an application or agent
Examples of dose in a Sentence
Noun
I've been taking the same dose for five years.
a large dose of vitamin C
The drug is lethal even in small doses.
a large dose of sugar
a high dose of radiation
Her parents hoped a daily dose of hard work would keep her out of trouble.
He needs a good dose of reality.
Verb
Most patients are dosed at 50 milligrams per day.
Recent Examples on the Web
Toby Rose, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
The lowest dose of Wegovy is currently in short supply, but all other doses of the drug and Ozempic are listed as available, according to the FDA’s drug shortage database.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024
Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
After those who wanted to participate in the psychedelic portion of the class were dosed, participants sat down in a circle, sharing their intentions before moving to their yoga mats and beginning to stretch.
—Michelle Lhooq, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dose 
Noun
Pickleball Blast brings the hottest paddle sport from the court to the tabletop with a high dose of silliness.
—Toby Rose, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
The lowest dose of Wegovy is currently in short supply, but all other doses of the drug and Ozempic are listed as available, according to the FDA’s drug shortage database.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
Back at the royal clinic, Burdick reviewed the princesses’ charts and was dismayed to learn that they were being regularly dosed with a combination of Valium, Ativan, Xanax, and Ambien.
—Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024
After those who wanted to participate in the psychedelic portion of the class were dosed, participants sat down in a circle, sharing their intentions before moving to their yoga mats and beginning to stretch.
—Michelle Lhooq, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dose
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dose
Cite this Entry
“Dose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dose. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dose
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the measured amount of a medicine to be taken at one time
b
: the quantity of radiation given or absorbed
2
: a portion of a substance added during a process
3
: an experience to which one is exposed
a dose of hard work
dose
2 of 2 verb
dosed; dosing
1
: to give medicine to
2
: to treat with something
Medical Definition
dose
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the measured quantity of a therapeutic agent to be taken at one time
b
: the quantity of radiation administered or absorbed
2
: a gonorrheal infection
dose
2 of 2 verb
dosed; dosing
1
: to divide (as a medicine) into doses
2
: to give a dose to
especially
: to give medicine to
3
: to treat with an application or agent
: to take medicine
he is forever dosing but he gets worse
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share