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
Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
For years now, health officials have battled with drugs being cut into fentanyl that not only increase its strength, but also increase the risk of a fatal overdose.
—David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
At that point, the director focuses on the months leading up to the day his son tragically overdosed on fentanyl in the family bathroom in Cambridge.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overdose
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Noun
Austin’s traffic fatality rate was below the national average, while Dallas and Houston reported lower drug overdose deaths than some peer metros.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
For years now, health officials have battled with drugs being cut into fentanyl that not only increase its strength, but also increase the risk of a fatal overdose.
—David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
In August of last year, she was then taken to the ER after overdosing on antidepressants and paracetamol, according to The Times.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
At that point, the director focuses on the months leading up to the day his son tragically overdosed on fentanyl in the family bathroom in Cambridge.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overdose
Cite this Entry
“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdose. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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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