overdose

1 of 2

noun

over·​dose ˈō-vər-ˌdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
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 noun

overdose

2 of 2

verb

over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
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
In an affidavit for a search warrant recently unsealed and obtained by PEOPLE, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office in Utah alleges a possible connection between the 2006 overdose death of Kouri’s mother’s former partner and that of Kouri’s husband in 2022. Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024 Nationally, there were 23 overdose deaths per 100,000 people. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 20 Mar. 2024 Nationally, there are 27 overdose deaths per 100,000 people. Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Mar. 2024 Ross pointed out that in just one year, the coalition handed out more than 2,200 doses of medication to reverse opioid overdoses, saving at least 421 lives. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Fentanyl is a potent and cheap synthetic opioid and a major contributor to overdose deaths in the United States. Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024 Although the number of overdose deaths in the US has held steady recently, the nation has many more than other high-income countries, research shows. Jen Christensen, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 Non-fatal ODs:The White House is now tracking opioid overdoses that don't kill. Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2024 The Second Gentleman met Phillips and her daughter in 2023 at an event commemorating International Overdose Awareness Day, according to the White House, where the administration officials announced more federal funds would be dedicated to combating accidental overdoses. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024
Verb
The threat has made its way into school buildings where students have overdosed in bathrooms, locker rooms and classrooms, prompting school leaders, law enforcement and community organizations to seek solutions to keep drugs out of schools. Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 The real-life Ann Woodward committed suicide on October 10, 1975, overdosing on sleeping pills in her New York City apartment. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2024 At the time, it was only reported that Adam had overdosed. Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 24 Jan. 2024 In rare cases, a person who has overdosed may have extremely low blood sugar, which can be life-threatening, Brown explained. Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 31 Jan. 2024 More:How to tell if someone is overdosing on fentanyl and other opioids More:Where to get free Narcan, needles and other help for drug users Two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose. Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, 25 Jan. 2024 School leaders will: Call the school’s first-responder team to the location where people suspect a student is overdosing. Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2024 But at a Fourth of July party, surrounded by people, Carter took a pill laced with fentanyl and fatally overdosed. Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024 One of the girls flagged down nearby police, telling them Gorman had overdosed. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 6 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overdose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of overdose was in 1700

Dictionary Entries Near overdose

Cite this Entry

“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdose. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

overdose

1 of 2 noun
over·​dose ˈō-vər-ˌdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
: too great a dose
overdosage noun

overdose

2 of 2 verb
over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
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 How to pronounce overdose (audio)
: too great a dose (as of a therapeutic agent)
an overdose of exposure to the sunMorris Fishbein
also : a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)

overdose

2 of 2 verb
over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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