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
Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
But this year’s visit felt like divine intervention—a dose of natural awe and wonder sent from above to make it through fraught times.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside, 19 Feb. 2026
wendy Wisner, Parents, 18 Feb. 2026
To round things out, many formulas include multitaskers like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for hydration and brightening, plus gentler exfoliants—think PHA or low-dose AHA/BHA blends, so skin gets the benefits of exfoliation without the irritation.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dose
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Noun
Moderna said while the FDA had recommended that approach, the agency ultimately agreed to the study's design -- and the company shared additional comparison data from a separate trial that used a high-dose shot for older people.
—Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
But this year’s visit felt like divine intervention—a dose of natural awe and wonder sent from above to make it through fraught times.
—Stephanie Pearson, Outside, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
In outbreak areas or before travel, babies 6 to 11 months old can get an early MMR dose to add protection.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 18 Feb. 2026
To round things out, many formulas include multitaskers like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for hydration and brightening, plus gentler exfoliants—think PHA or low-dose AHA/BHA blends, so skin gets the benefits of exfoliation without the irritation.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dose
Cite this Entry
“Dose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dose. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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
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