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
Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Encampment sweeps can result in more fatal overdoses, and discourage people from seeking treatment, according to a study published in June in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
—Albert Chern, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Johnson spoke about Kerr, who had overdosed twice, the toll of drug addiction and dealing with pressure.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overdose
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Noun
As of this week, the medical examiner’s office found 683 people died of opioid overdoses last year in Cook County, with 500 of those recorded in Chicago.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Encampment sweeps can result in more fatal overdoses, and discourage people from seeking treatment, according to a study published in June in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
—Albert Chern, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
On her day off, Harriet sees two teenagers who have overdosed in a locked city park.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Johnson spoke about Kerr, who had overdosed twice, the toll of drug addiction and dealing with pressure.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 4 Jan. 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 11 Jan. 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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