overdose

1 of 2

noun

over·​dose ˈō-vər-ˌdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
1
: too great a dose (as of a therapeutic agent)
also : a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)
2
: an excessive quantity or amount
an overdose of fun
overdosage noun

overdose

2 of 2

verb

over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
overdosed; overdosing; overdoses

transitive verb

: to give an overdose or too many doses to

intransitive verb

: to take or experience an overdose
usually used with on

Examples of overdose in a Sentence

Noun She died from a cocaine overdose.
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.
Noun
Courson — who died of a heroin overdose in 1974 — found the star dead in the bathtub of their apartment, and no autopsy was ever performed. Rachel Desantis, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025 Ultimately, responsibility for the fatal fentanyl and methamphetamine overdose of 3-month-old baby Phoenix, and for Santa Clara County’s broken child welfare system, rests at the top. Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
In the early hours of Aug. 17 — just one day, her family said, before a treatment bed was ready for her — Kaylee, 22, overdosed and was rushed to the University of Kansas Hospital. Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025 Faithfull stated that Morrison overdosed on heroin provided by de Bretueil. Makena Gera, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for overdose 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of overdose was in 1700

Dictionary Entries Near overdose

Cite this Entry

“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdose. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

overdose

1 of 2 noun
over·​dose ˈō-vər-ˌdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
: too great a dose
overdosage noun

overdose

2 of 2 verb
over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
1
: to give an overdose or too many doses to
2
: to take or experience an overdose
overdosed on heroin

Medical Definition

overdose

1 of 2 noun
over·​dose ˈō-vər-ˌdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
: too great a dose (as of a therapeutic agent)
an overdose of exposure to the sunMorris Fishbein
also : a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)

overdose

2 of 2 verb
over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
overdosed; overdosing

transitive verb

: to give an overdose or too many doses to

intransitive verb

: to take or experience an overdose
usually used with on
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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