plural overdoses
1
: an amount of a drug or medicine that is too much and usually dangerous
She died from a cocaine overdose.
—often + ofHe took/had an overdose of pills.
2
: an amount of something that is too much
a sugar overdose
—often + ofAn overdose of horror movies gave him nightmares.
overdoses; overdosed; overdosing
: to take too much of a drug or medicine : to take an overdose of a drug or medicine
—usually + on
She overdosed on tranquilizers and fell into a coma.
—sometimes used figurativelyShe overdosed on romance novels over the summer.
Cite this Entry
“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/overdose. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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