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
Bella Hadid was reportedly pulled over by police in Texas just minutes before her cowboy beau Adan Banuelos was arrested for public intoxication early Saturday.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Joel Avalos, 31, faces charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault in the fatal crash.
—Timia Cobb, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Her lawyer argued that while the party involved minors, Anderson’s charges of resisting an officer and disorderly intoxication did not, according to the outlet.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Perez was charged with intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault, collision involving death, and collision involving serious bodily injury, court records show.
—Raul Trey Lopez, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intoxication
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Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Joel Avalos, 31, faces charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault in the fatal crash.
—Timia Cobb, Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Her lawyer argued that while the party involved minors, Anderson’s charges of resisting an officer and disorderly intoxication did not, according to the outlet.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Perez was charged with intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault, collision involving death, and collision involving serious bodily injury, court records show.
—Raul Trey Lopez, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intoxication
Cite this Entry
“Intoxication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intoxication. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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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