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
Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Despite the unanimous decision to block the case, both Washington and Mexico City agree that Mexican cartels get most of their weapons from US sellers; the guns are used to defend drug trafficking which has led to record overdose deaths in the US.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
The day following his indictment, he was found unconscious and nearly died after overdosing on the benzodiazepine he had been prescribed for anxiety.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overdose
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Noun
With less qualified experts to treat mental health conditions, more Americans could suffer from drug overdoses and mental conditions like schizophrenia.
—Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Despite the unanimous decision to block the case, both Washington and Mexico City agree that Mexican cartels get most of their weapons from US sellers; the guns are used to defend drug trafficking which has led to record overdose deaths in the US.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
Verb
The tendency to overdose on literary preciousness is ever present.
—Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
The day following his indictment, he was found unconscious and nearly died after overdosing on the benzodiazepine he had been prescribed for anxiety.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 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 11 Jun. 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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