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

According to investigators, authorities believe a 32-year-old woman who died from an overdose had used drugs that were obtained from Muniz. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

Since 2021, the county has filed murder charges in 44 fentanyl overdose cases and secured convictions in 29, according to an online dashboard. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

Verb

Two years ago, Adam saved the life of a young man who had overdosed. — Craig Lemoult, NPR, 20 July 2026

Soon, while McElwee is living alone in an apartment in Boston, Adrian, a college student, is taken to a hospital emergency room after overdosing, and then moves in with his father. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 July 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