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
Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, in a deposition, Jones has detailed how Nathan purportedly did crisis work for Bolno after, in 2023, a singer died of a fatal overdose in the married executive’s Miami hotel suite.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
Susan Ousterman's son, Tyler Cordiero, died at age 24 in 2020 after overdosing on a mixture that included fentanyl after years of using heroin and other opioids.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overdose
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Noun
After the overdose, Eminem went into recovery and made his 2009 album Relapse in the process.
—Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, in a deposition, Jones has detailed how Nathan purportedly did crisis work for Bolno after, in 2023, a singer died of a fatal overdose in the married executive’s Miami hotel suite.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
The tension breaks when Angel has a meltdown at the club, forcing Rue to mercifully share the truth that Tish overdosed, sending Angel into an emotional spiral that descends into addiction.
—Zoe Papelis, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
Susan Ousterman's son, Tyler Cordiero, died at age 24 in 2020 after overdosing on a mixture that included fentanyl after years of using heroin and other opioids.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 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 Apr. 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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