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
Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 July 2024
The two wed in 1976, and remained together until his death from a drug overdose in 1982.
—Evan Rosen, New York Daily News, 6 July 2024
Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 July 2024
New crime measures Anyone who calls for help during an overdose or provides medical assistance to someone overdosing would be immune from prosecution under a law taking effect July 1.
—Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for overdose 
Noun
John Mulaney recalls Lorne Michaels invoking the death of John Belushi amid struggles with addiction
The couple remained together until Belushi’s death from a drug overdose in 1982.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 July 2024
The two wed in 1976, and remained together until his death from a drug overdose in 1982.
—Evan Rosen, New York Daily News, 6 July 2024
Verb
Ball also overdosed that night but recovered, according to court documents.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 July 2024
New crime measures Anyone who calls for help during an overdose or provides medical assistance to someone overdosing would be immune from prosecution under a law taking effect July 1.
—Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 26 June 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 14 Jul. 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
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