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

Perez Hilton was treated for an overdose directly afterlivestreaming acts of self-harm on TikTok, according to a police report obtained by People. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

His representatives haven’t commented on TMZ’s allegations of a drug overdose. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Nash also was in liver failure from overdosing on Tylenol, Judd said. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Patients show up in the ER, sometimes obtunded from overdosing of one or more these gas station products. — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 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