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
Brian Niemietz, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
In January 2024, Adam died at the age of 39 from a fentanyl overdose after years of struggling with addiction.
—Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The Placer County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday that Brandon Garner's conviction stemmed from the death of a local man who overdosed after allegedly receiving fentanyl from Garner.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overdose
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Noun
Arnold’s death marks the second among the founding members of 3 Doors Down, following guitarist Matt Roberts’ overdose on prescription drugs in 2016.
—Brian Niemietz, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
In January 2024, Adam died at the age of 39 from a fentanyl overdose after years of struggling with addiction.
—Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Three of the individuals who died in the cold were found to have likely overdosed, officials said, with 13 others determined to have died partly due to hypothermia.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026
The Placer County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday that Brandon Garner's conviction stemmed from the death of a local man who overdosed after allegedly receiving fentanyl from Garner.
—Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 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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