intoxication

noun

in·​tox·​i·​ca·​tion in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: the condition of having physical or mental control markedly diminished by the effects of alcohol or drugs

drank to the point of intoxication

cocaine intoxication

b

: a strong excitement or elation

The mere knowledge that they are on an island, a little world entirely surrounded by the sea, fills them with an indescribable intoxication …

—Christine Osborne

2

: an abnormal state that is essentially a poisoning

carbon monoxide intoxication

Synonyms

• alcoholism
• inebriation
• drunkenness
• inebriety

Examples of intoxication in a Sentence

there's a firm distinction between the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages and overindulgence to the point of intoxication

the intoxication felt by two people who have just fallen in love

Recent Examples on the Web

Downing a ton over one to two hours can pose hazards like water intoxication, a.k.a. hyponatremia, the medical term for dangerously low sodium levels in the blood. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 12 Aug. 2025

But not exactly bubbly – the stock traded above 50x in the two years before the March 2000 peak of the tech mania, a time when the public intoxication with risk reached genuine historic extremes that the current speculative wave has not yet even closely approached. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 July 2025

The cause of death was confirmed by New York City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, citing acute intoxication from multiple substances. —Doha Madani, NBC news, 24 July 2025

The suit also cites the singer’s apparent intoxication. —Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for intoxication

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

intoxication

noun

in·​tox·​i·​ca·​tion in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: an unhealthy state that is or is like a poisoning

carbon monoxide intoxication

b

: the condition of being drunk

2

: a strong excitement or elation

the intoxication of success

Medical Definition

intoxication

noun

in·​tox·​i·​ca·​tion in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: an abnormal state that is essentially a poisoning

hypokalemia potentiates digoxin intoxication

—W. H. Abelmann et al.

no evidence of cocaine intoxication

—Margaret M. McCarron et al.

acute carbon monoxide intoxication

2

: the condition of being drunk : inebriation

Legal Definition

intoxication

noun

in·​tox·​i·​ca·​tion in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the state or condition of being intoxicated

2

: a defense based on inability to form the requisite specific intent to commit a crime due to intoxication