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
Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
In the scene, Mark (Johnson), a UFC fighter and MMA pioneer, has just overdosed and is in the hospital.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2025
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
Naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan, counters the effect of opioids so that a person who is overdosing doesn’t stop breathing.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
In the scene, Mark (Johnson), a UFC fighter and MMA pioneer, has just overdosed and is in the hospital.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 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 10 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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