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
Cate Cadell, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
Between 2019 and the 12-month period ending June 30, 2023, overdose deaths from synthetic opioids increased 13-fold from 84 deaths to more than 1,100 in the state.
—Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
There are also ways an accidental death could result in someone being held criminally responsible or liable in civil court, such as an overdose death in which officials prosecute the drug dealer.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
An autopsy determined the woman died of an overdose of oxycodone, the affidavit said.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2024
But the Republican from western Pennsylvania says that since his brother died from a drug overdose in 2014, he's come to better understand the nature of addiction.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 27 Mar. 2024
According to the Washington Post, kratom was involved in 846 overdose cases in 30 states and Washington, D.C. in 2022, up from 834 in 2021 and 663 in 2020.
—Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, 26 Mar. 2024
Related Articles Baby Phoenix’s fentanyl overdose death inspires state legislation
San Jose mom charged in baby’s fentanyl death expected to be released to await trial
Blame game?
—Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024
Oregon overdose rates climb Skyrocketing overdose rates prompted Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to declare a 90-day emergency in downtown Portland this year.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2024
Mike Baker, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024
And for somebody who already uses opioids, overdosing from buprenorphine is nearly impossible.
—Lauren Peace, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
In addition, data obtained by Capital & Main shows that hundreds of members of the community have overdosed on opioids in recent years, and overdose death rates among young people there are up to four times the national average.
—Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024
After overdosing on painkillers and being hospitalized, Pierce gathers the study group at the hospital and proceeds to psychologically torture them with gifts (a.k.a. bequeathals).
—Chancellor Agard, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024
Shortly afterward, his friends witnessed Cruz begin to overdose, stop breathing and drop dead on the call.
—Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024
Entertainment & Arts ‘Euphoria’ star Angus Cloud overdosed on mix of fentanyl, cocaine and more, coroner confirms
Sept. 21, 2023
In 2023, fatalites from drug overdoses surpassed 112,000 for the first time in the nation’s history.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024
The threat has made its way into school buildings where students have overdosed in bathrooms, locker rooms and classrooms, prompting school leaders, law enforcement and community organizations to seek solutions to keep drugs out of schools.
—Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
The real-life Ann Woodward committed suicide on October 10, 1975, overdosing on sleeping pills in her New York City apartment.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2024
Noun
Fentanyl has driven a spike in U.S. overdose deaths, which last year exceeded 100,000.
—Cate Cadell, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
Between 2019 and the 12-month period ending June 30, 2023, overdose deaths from synthetic opioids increased 13-fold from 84 deaths to more than 1,100 in the state.
—Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
There are also ways an accidental death could result in someone being held criminally responsible or liable in civil court, such as an overdose death in which officials prosecute the drug dealer.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
An autopsy determined the woman died of an overdose of oxycodone, the affidavit said.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2024
But the Republican from western Pennsylvania says that since his brother died from a drug overdose in 2014, he's come to better understand the nature of addiction.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 27 Mar. 2024
According to the Washington Post, kratom was involved in 846 overdose cases in 30 states and Washington, D.C. in 2022, up from 834 in 2021 and 663 in 2020.
—Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, 26 Mar. 2024
Related Articles Baby Phoenix’s fentanyl overdose death inspires state legislation
San Jose mom charged in baby’s fentanyl death expected to be released to await trial
Blame game?
—Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024
Oregon overdose rates climb Skyrocketing overdose rates prompted Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to declare a 90-day emergency in downtown Portland this year.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 20 Mar. 2024
Verb
When someone overdoses from fentanyl, breathing slows and their skin often turns a bluish hue.
—Mike Baker, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024
And for somebody who already uses opioids, overdosing from buprenorphine is nearly impossible.
—Lauren Peace, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
In addition, data obtained by Capital & Main shows that hundreds of members of the community have overdosed on opioids in recent years, and overdose death rates among young people there are up to four times the national average.
—Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024
After overdosing on painkillers and being hospitalized, Pierce gathers the study group at the hospital and proceeds to psychologically torture them with gifts (a.k.a. bequeathals).
—Chancellor Agard, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024
Shortly afterward, his friends witnessed Cruz begin to overdose, stop breathing and drop dead on the call.
—Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024
Entertainment & Arts ‘Euphoria’ star Angus Cloud overdosed on mix of fentanyl, cocaine and more, coroner confirms
Sept. 21, 2023
In 2023, fatalites from drug overdoses surpassed 112,000 for the first time in the nation’s history.
—Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024
The threat has made its way into school buildings where students have overdosed in bathrooms, locker rooms and classrooms, prompting school leaders, law enforcement and community organizations to seek solutions to keep drugs out of schools.
—Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
The real-life Ann Woodward committed suicide on October 10, 1975, overdosing on sleeping pills in her New York City apartment.
—Elise Taylor, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overdose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Dictionary Entries Near overdose
Cite this Entry
“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdose. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on overdose
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for overdose
Nglish: Translation of overdose for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of overdose for Arabic Speakers
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