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
Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
After the medical examiner released its report on Perry's death, the LAPD launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his overdose death in December, the department confirms to PEOPLE.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 21 May 2024
Jerry Mitchell, New York Times, 29 May 2024
This includes when a juvenile dealer told him on Jan. 26, 2023, that a 14-year-old middle school student fatally overdosed after consuming a counterfeit pill supplied by Navarrete.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for overdose 
Noun
Tu helped bring classical music to the Westlake/MacArthur Park Station to keep people from lingering amid a spate of killings and overdoses last year.
—Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
After the medical examiner released its report on Perry's death, the LAPD launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his overdose death in December, the department confirms to PEOPLE.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 21 May 2024
Verb
In July 2021, after Deputy Zachary Cotton reversed several overdoses using the opioid blocker Narcan, some deputies harangued him for saving the people who had overdosed.
—Jerry Mitchell, New York Times, 29 May 2024
This includes when a juvenile dealer told him on Jan. 26, 2023, that a 14-year-old middle school student fatally overdosed after consuming a counterfeit pill supplied by Navarrete.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for overdose
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overdose.' 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 overdose
Cite this Entry
“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdose. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share