over·dose
ˈō-vər-ˌdōs 
1
: too great a dose (as of a therapeutic agent)
also
: a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)
2
: an excessive quantity or amount
an overdose of fun
over·dose
ˌō-vər-ˈdōs
overdosed; overdosing; overdoses
: to give an overdose or too many doses to
: to take or experience an overdose
—usually used with on
Examples of overdose in a Sentence
Noun
She died from a cocaine overdose.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Hyman, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026
The child welfare agency was already under state oversight and amid reforms after the fentanyl overdose death of infant Phoenix Castro three years ago.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 21 June 2026
Steve Bloom, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026
When the predictions turned out to be right − Rue fatally overdosed − winners took home some cash.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overdose
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Noun
Houston’s death in 2012 from a drug overdose hit Davis especially hard.
—Dan Hyman, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2026
The child welfare agency was already under state oversight and amid reforms after the fentanyl overdose death of infant Phoenix Castro three years ago.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 21 June 2026
Verb
That same night, according to the film, Gregg overdosed on heroin.
—Steve Bloom, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026
When the predictions turned out to be right − Rue fatally overdosed − winners took home some cash.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overdose
Cite this Entry
“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdose. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overdose
2 of 2 verb
over·dose
ˌō-vər-ˈdōs
1
: to give an overdose or too many doses to
2
: to take or experience an overdose
overdosed on heroin
Medical Definition
overdose
1 of 2 noun
over·dose
ˈō-vər-ˌdōs
: too great a dose (as of a therapeutic agent)
an overdose of exposure to the sun—Morris Fishbein
Morris Fishbein
also
: a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)
overdose
2 of 2 verb
over·dose
ˌō-vər-ˈdōs
overdosed; overdosing
: to give an overdose or too many doses to
: to take or experience an overdose
—usually used with on
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