intoxication
noun
in·tox·i·ca·tion
in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən 
1
a
: the condition of having physical or mental control markedly diminished by the effects of alcohol or drugs
drank to the point of intoxication
cocaine intoxication
b
: a strong excitement or elation
The mere knowledge that they are on an island, a little world entirely surrounded by the sea, fills them with an indescribable intoxication …—
Christine Osborne
Christine Osborne2
: an abnormal state that is essentially a poisoning
carbon monoxide intoxication
Examples of intoxication in a Sentence
there's a firm distinction between the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages and overindulgence to the point of intoxication
the intoxication felt by two people who have just fallen in love
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite his intoxication, Paul allegedly continued driving the boat and crashed it into the Archer's Creek Bridge.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
These physical health problems may have to do with intoxication from cannabis, but could also be due to withdrawal symptoms, write Orri and his colleagues in the paper.
—NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department later announced that the Masked Singer alum had been charged with three misdemeanors — battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication — before upgrading the battery charge to a felony.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
The intersection of mental illness, intoxication, and police violence was the focus of a 2023 Bay Area News Group investigation in conjunction with KQED and the California Reporting Project.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intoxication
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Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
These physical health problems may have to do with intoxication from cannabis, but could also be due to withdrawal symptoms, write Orri and his colleagues in the paper.
—NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department later announced that the Masked Singer alum had been charged with three misdemeanors — battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication — before upgrading the battery charge to a felony.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
The intersection of mental illness, intoxication, and police violence was the focus of a 2023 Bay Area News Group investigation in conjunction with KQED and the California Reporting Project.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intoxication
Cite this Entry
“Intoxication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intoxication. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intoxication
noun
in·tox·i·ca·tion
in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən
1
a
: an unhealthy state that is or is like a poisoning
carbon monoxide intoxication
b
: the condition of being drunk
2
: a strong excitement or elation
the intoxication of success
Medical Definition
intoxication
noun
in·tox·i·ca·tion
in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən
1
: an abnormal state that is essentially a poisoning
hypokalemia potentiates digoxin intoxication—W. H. Abelmann et al.
W. H. Abelmann et al.no evidence of cocaine intoxication—Margaret M. McCarron et al.
Margaret M. McCarron et al.acute carbon monoxide intoxication
2
: the condition of being drunk : inebriation
Legal Definition
intoxication
noun
in·tox·i·ca·tion
in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən
1
: the state or condition of being intoxicated
2
: a defense based on inability to form the requisite specific intent to commit a crime due to intoxication
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