over·dose
ˈō-vər-ˌdōs 
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
over·dose
ˌō-vər-ˈdōs
overdosed; overdosing; overdoses
: to give an overdose or too many doses to
: 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
Mark Michalek, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
Black-market fentanyl has led to tens of thousands of overdose deaths in the United States, officials say.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 20 June 2025
Shortly after Kelly and his attorneys made the allegations, Kelly allegedly overdosed on medication given to him by prison staff.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overdose
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Noun
Data from the Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics shows that overdose deaths nationwide dropped by almost 27% from 2023 to 2024.
—Mark Michalek, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
Black-market fentanyl has led to tens of thousands of overdose deaths in the United States, officials say.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Verb
The motion for Kelly's release, filed June 17 in the Chicago court in which he was originally convicted, comes after his legal team alleged the singer overdosed on medication given to him by prison staff last week.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 20 June 2025
Shortly after Kelly and his attorneys made the allegations, Kelly allegedly overdosed on medication given to him by prison staff.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overdose
Cite this Entry
“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdose. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overdose
2 of 2 verb
over·dose
ˌō-vər-ˈdōs
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
: too great a dose (as of a therapeutic agent)
an overdose of exposure to the sun—Morris Fishbein
Morris Fishbein
also
: a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)
overdose
2 of 2 verb
over·dose
ˌō-vər-ˈdōs
overdosed; overdosing
: to give an overdose or too many doses to
: to take or experience an overdose
—usually used with on
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