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
dosed; dosing
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
Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2024
The Food and Drug Administration approved TDF that year, but the company was hopeful that TAF, which was equally effective at far smaller doses, would be less toxic.
—Peter Staley, STAT, 16 Aug. 2024
Lisa S. Gardiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
The relationship is dose dependent: People who are exposed to more bright light at night are increasingly likely to develop diabetes.
—Hilary MacHt, EverydayHealth.com, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for dose 
Noun
There are also notes of spiced nuts, caramel, tannin, pepper, and a strong dose of maple syrup.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2024
The Food and Drug Administration approved TDF that year, but the company was hopeful that TAF, which was equally effective at far smaller doses, would be less toxic.
—Peter Staley, STAT, 16 Aug. 2024
Verb
To avoid dosing larvae with antibiotics again, Patterson and his team improved the water-cleansing system and added a huge UV filter to kill bacteria.
—Lisa S. Gardiner, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Aug. 2024
The relationship is dose dependent: People who are exposed to more bright light at night are increasingly likely to develop diabetes.
—Hilary MacHt, EverydayHealth.com, 9 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for dose
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dose
Cite this Entry
“Dose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dose. Accessed 8 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dose
1 of 2 noun1
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 noun1
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
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
: to take medicine
he is forever dosing but he gets worse
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share