overdose

1 of 2

noun

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

overdosage

ˌō-vər-ˈdō-sij 

noun

overdose

2 of 2

verb

over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs 

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

Noun

The Obama administration considered scheduling kratom products in 2016, but decided against it after receiving pushback and considering similar concerns while the country’s overdose crisis worsened, LaBelle said. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026

Garland died from an accidental barbiturate overdose on June 22, 1969. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026

Verb

Detectives are trying to trace the supplier of the drugs that Cindy Crawford’s son, Persley Gerber, fatally overdosed on in Santa Monica rehab last weekend, according to law enforcement sources. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

One of the service members died after taking the pills and another overdosed. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for overdose

• adios
• adipose
• amylose
• bellicose
• cellulose
• centavos
• comatose
• diagnose
• grandiose
• granulose
• levulose
• ribulose

Kids Definition

overdose

1 of 2 noun

over·​dose ˈō-vər-ˌdōs 

: too great a dose

overdosage

ˌō-vər-ˈdō-sij 

noun

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

also : a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)

overdose

2 of 2 verb

over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs 

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