overdose

1 of 2

noun

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

overdosage

ˌō-vər-ˈdō-sij 

noun

overdose

2 of 2

verb

over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs 

overdosed; overdosing; overdoses

transitive verb

: to give an overdose or too many doses to

intransitive verb

: 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

Noun

But whether a matter of intention or circumstance, what emerges in place of star power is a more intimate portrait of Perry and his decadeslong struggle with substance abuse, leading to his death from a ketamine overdose in the fall of 2023. — Alison Herman, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026

Jett died from an acute overdose of fentanyl and the manner of death was homicide, according to a toxicology report cited by Stephan. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

Hellbent on getting his life back (via his face), Matt overdoses on those damn nanocells and promptly becomes a monster, both figuratively and literally. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2026

Health officials recommend administering naloxone to anyone who appears to be overdosing and calling 911. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for overdose

• adios
• adipose
• amylose
• bellicose
• cellulose
• centavos
• comatose
• diagnose
• grandiose
• granulose
• levulose
• ribulose

Kids Definition

overdose

1 of 2 noun

over·​dose ˈō-vər-ˌdōs 

: too great a dose

overdosage

ˌō-vər-ˈdō-sij 

noun

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

also : a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)

overdose

2 of 2 verb

over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs 

overdosed; overdosing

transitive verb

: to give an overdose or too many doses to

intransitive verb

: to take or experience an overdose

—usually used with on