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
Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2024
Additionally, data from the health policy organization KFF found there were 1,177 opioid overdose deaths in Colorado in 2022, making up 65 percent of all drug overdose fatalities in the state.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2024
Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 1 July 2024
Over the last decade, a handful of people have overdosed and died after buying fentanyl through the site, yet until recent months The Times found ads for them remained commonplace, especially in Southern California.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for overdose 
Noun
These programs aim to prevent fatal overdoses in the short term while helping people become sober over time.
—Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2024
Additionally, data from the health policy organization KFF found there were 1,177 opioid overdose deaths in Colorado in 2022, making up 65 percent of all drug overdose fatalities in the state.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2024
Verb
Court documents state that around 6 a.m., Marshall called and texted a friend asking for Narcan and searched online regarding how to do CPR on a child who is overdosing.
—Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 1 July 2024
Over the last decade, a handful of people have overdosed and died after buying fentanyl through the site, yet until recent months The Times found ads for them remained commonplace, especially in Southern California.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 7 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 18 Aug. 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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