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
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 May 2025
During the Covid-19 pandemic, drug overdose deaths had surged to record levels.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Jan Hoffman, New York Times, 15 May 2025
In recent years, some law enforcement agencies have begun charging fentanyl distributors with homicide if users overdose and die.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overdose
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Noun
Drug overdose deaths dropped in the United States last year to the lowest levels seen in five years, according to a new federal report published Wednesday morning.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 May 2025
During the Covid-19 pandemic, drug overdose deaths had surged to record levels.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Verb
When someone overdoses from fentanyl, breathing slows and their skin often turns a bluish hue.
—Jan Hoffman, New York Times, 15 May 2025
In recent years, some law enforcement agencies have begun charging fentanyl distributors with homicide if users overdose and die.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 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 21 May. 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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