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
over·dose
ˌō-vər-ˈdōs
overdosed; overdosing; overdoses
: to give an overdose or too many doses to
: 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
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
This matters because mitragynine is a weak opioid, while 7OH is a much stronger opioid, which can increase the intensity of the opioid effects and lead to overdose.
—Andrew Kolodny, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
When Wolfgang overdoses on laudanum, however, Anna Marie performed disguised as Wolfgang donning a dramatic red costume and face paint, captivating the court and drawing the envy of Mozart’s greatest rival, Antonio Salieri.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overdose
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Noun
Initially, police investigated the death as a possible overdose.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
This matters because mitragynine is a weak opioid, while 7OH is a much stronger opioid, which can increase the intensity of the opioid effects and lead to overdose.
—Andrew Kolodny, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Inspection reports show one resident overdosed twice within four days, fell and broke an arm.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
When Wolfgang overdoses on laudanum, however, Anna Marie performed disguised as Wolfgang donning a dramatic red costume and face paint, captivating the court and drawing the envy of Mozart’s greatest rival, Antonio Salieri.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overdose
Cite this Entry
“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdose. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
Morris Fishbein
also
: a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)
overdose
2 of 2 verb
over·dose
ˌō-vər-ˈdōs
overdosed; overdosing
: to give an overdose or too many doses to
: to take or experience an overdose
—usually used with on
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