dose

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: the measured quantity of a therapeutic agent to be taken at one time
b
: the quantity of radiation administered or absorbed
2
: a portion of a substance added during a process
3
: an amount of something likened to a prescribed or measured quantity of medicine
a daily dose of hard work
a dose of scandal
4
: a gonorrheal infection

dose

2 of 2

verb

dosed; dosing

transitive verb

1
: to give a dose to
especially : to give medicine to
2
: to divide into doses
dose a medicine
3
: to treat with an application or agent

Examples of dose in a Sentence

Noun I've been taking the same dose for five years. a large dose of vitamin C The drug is lethal even in small doses. a large dose of sugar a high dose of radiation Her parents hoped a daily dose of hard work would keep her out of trouble. He needs a good dose of reality. Verb Most patients are dosed at 50 milligrams per day.
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
Using a similar method as the one scientists follow to determine the animals responsible for fossilized footprints — but with a dose of lightheartedness — Granatosky and his colleagues carried out the first scientific analysis of the imprint, published Tuesday in the journal Biology Letters. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025 That's based on the California Proposition 65 maximum allowable dose level for lead. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
The side brush reaching into corners is clutch, and detergent auto-dosing saves guesswork. PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025 With their son’s pancreas no longer functioning, Damiano and Milgrome had to take over the organ’s work by measuring every gram of carbohydrate David ate and dosing the right amount of insulin. Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dose

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin dosis, from Greek, literally, act of giving, from didonai to give — more at date

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dose was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dose. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

dose

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: the measured amount of a medicine to be taken at one time
b
: the quantity of radiation given or absorbed
2
: a portion of a substance added during a process
3
: an experience to which one is exposed
a dose of hard work

dose

2 of 2 verb
dosed; dosing
1
: to give medicine to
2
: to treat with something

Medical Definition

dose

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: the measured quantity of a therapeutic agent to be taken at one time
b
: the quantity of radiation administered or absorbed
2
: a gonorrheal infection

dose

2 of 2 verb
dosed; dosing

transitive verb

1
: to divide (as a medicine) into doses
2
: to give a dose to
especially : to give medicine to
3
: to treat with an application or agent

intransitive verb

: to take medicine
he is forever dosing but he gets worse

More from Merriam-Webster on dose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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