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
Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
Five people are now facing charges related to the accidental drug overdose and his untimely death.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
Police have not said how the infant overdosed on July 27, but said the baby was taken to the hospital for treatment and is now in recovery.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overdose
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
But a week after state officials announced the partnership, there are many questions about the undertaking, which could roughly double the population of a prison long plagued with understaffing issues, problems with violence and drug overdoses among inmates.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
Five people are now facing charges related to the accidental drug overdose and his untimely death.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
Pods were created for ease of use and to prevent overdosing thanks to pre-measurement.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
Police have not said how the infant overdosed on July 27, but said the baby was taken to the hospital for treatment and is now in recovery.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Aug. 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 27 Aug. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share