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
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Read Next National Mom left pills out, then toddler died from overdose, AZ officials say.
—Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Jeremy D. Larson, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2025
One study shows just over 35% of users who overdosed on xylazine, with or without opioids, died.
—C. Michael White, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overdose
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Noun
Last week, at least three teens suffered drug overdoses at Los Padrinos.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Read Next National Mom left pills out, then toddler died from overdose, AZ officials say.
—Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
At the end of Episode 8, the parents of a young college student who accidentally overdosed on fentanyl finally accept that their son is brain-dead and will donate his organs.
—Jeremy D. Larson, Pitchfork, 11 Apr. 2025
One study shows just over 35% of users who overdosed on xylazine, with or without opioids, died.
—C. Michael White, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 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 30 Apr. 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
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