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

Hickerson broke his silence for the first time since Panettiere died Sunday of an apparent overdose as his attorney Sloan Ellis made a statement on his behalf. — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

The account from the younger brother of Panettiere’s boyfriend and longtime abuser confirms that Panettiere was potentially the victim of a drug overdose. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

Authorities have not addressed whether Panettiere overdosed Sunday. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Don’t overdose the amount of detergent required, and skip the use of fabric softeners, which leave excessive residue in the washer that feeds mildew spores. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 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