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
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
The more serious side effects of caffeine overdose include trouble breathing, sudden high blood pressure, muscle twitching, confusion, vomiting and seizures.
—News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Three people were arrested after allegedly supplying drugs to seven Providence College students who overdosed during a party outside of campus, according to police.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overdose
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Noun
The late comedian and actor, who was one half of the iconic duo the Blues Brothers with Dan Aykroyd, died of an apparent drug overdose.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
The more serious side effects of caffeine overdose include trouble breathing, sudden high blood pressure, muscle twitching, confusion, vomiting and seizures.
—News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Verb
In early October, seven people were hospitalized after police reported that 11 more people had overdosed in the same neighborhood.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Three people were arrested after allegedly supplying drugs to seven Providence College students who overdosed during a party outside of campus, according to police.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 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 15 Dec. 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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