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
Christine Osborne2
: an abnormal state that is essentially a poisoning
carbon monoxide intoxication
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
Across the state line in 2020, another toddler, age 2, died in Johnson County and a 9-month old died in Leavenworth County of fentanyl intoxication.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
He was arrested for public intoxication days after his second College Football Championship
The week after leading the Georgia Bulldogs to their second national championship in a row, Bennett was arrested in Dallas on Jan. 15, 2023, and charged with public intoxication.
—Greta Bjornson, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
While extremely uncommon, caffeine intoxication can turn lethal.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024
He had been arrested in Santa Monica in January 2022 for shoplifting and last June for public intoxication, resisting arrest and battery on a police officer, according to Aklufi.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024
The area had 103 reports of public intoxication, 59 vehicle burglaries and 37 auto thefts, most of which happened off U.S. 287, Exchange Avenue and Stockyards Boulevard.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
After joining the school board in 2022, he was charged with public intoxication in Prince William County, Va., and paid a $25 fine.
—Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
In some ways, the intoxication is an antidote to the torture and loss portrayed in the earlier parts of the book.
—Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
With temperatures that night falling below zero, coroners say prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and acute alcohol intoxication contributed to his death from hypothermia.
—Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024
Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
He was arrested for public intoxication days after his second College Football Championship
The week after leading the Georgia Bulldogs to their second national championship in a row, Bennett was arrested in Dallas on Jan. 15, 2023, and charged with public intoxication.
—Greta Bjornson, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
While extremely uncommon, caffeine intoxication can turn lethal.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024
He had been arrested in Santa Monica in January 2022 for shoplifting and last June for public intoxication, resisting arrest and battery on a police officer, according to Aklufi.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024
The area had 103 reports of public intoxication, 59 vehicle burglaries and 37 auto thefts, most of which happened off U.S. 287, Exchange Avenue and Stockyards Boulevard.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
After joining the school board in 2022, he was charged with public intoxication in Prince William County, Va., and paid a $25 fine.
—Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
In some ways, the intoxication is an antidote to the torture and loss portrayed in the earlier parts of the book.
—Carolyn Kellogg, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
With temperatures that night falling below zero, coroners say prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and acute alcohol intoxication contributed to his death from hypothermia.
—Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intoxication.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near intoxication
Cite this Entry
“Intoxication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intoxication. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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.
W. H. Abelmann et al.no evidence of cocaine intoxication—Margaret M. McCarron et al.
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
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