overdose

1 of 2

noun

over·​dose ˈō-vər-ˌdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
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
overdosage noun

overdose

2 of 2

verb

over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
overdosed; overdosing; overdoses

transitive verb

: to give an overdose or too many doses to

intransitive verb

: 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
Noun
The Second Gentleman met Phillips and her daughter in 2023 at an event commemorating International Overdose Awareness Day, according to the White House, where the administration officials announced more federal funds would be dedicated to combating accidental overdoses. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Follow Election 2024 The results reinforce a recent trend of more moderate forces prevailing in San Francisco elections, as voters continue to express alarm over the crises unfolding daily on city streets, where a record 806 people died of an accidental overdose last year. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Tina and Ike, who died of a cocaine overdose in December 2007, were married in 1962, divorcing 16 years later. Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 In Los Angeles County alone, fentanyl was the cause of more than 60% of accidental drug or alcohol overdoses in 2022. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 From 2003 to 2020, Americans who died while visiting Florida were 63% more likely to be victims of a drug overdose compared to those who died while visiting other states, according to a report released in February. Isabel Rosales, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 For example, lives lost to suicide and drug overdoses are at record levels. USA TODAY, 29 Feb. 2024 Some counties, like San Francisco, also currently do so for fentanyl, in response to the growing opioid overdose epidemic. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2024 The inmate was given Narcan, a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, and taken to a local hospital for treatment, according to the document. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
In rare cases, a person who has overdosed may have extremely low blood sugar, which can be life-threatening, Brown explained. Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 31 Jan. 2024 More:How to tell if someone is overdosing on fentanyl and other opioids More:Where to get free Narcan, needles and other help for drug users Two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose. Georgea Kovanis, Detroit Free Press, 25 Jan. 2024 School leaders will: Call the school’s first-responder team to the location where people suspect a student is overdosing. Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2024 But at a Fourth of July party, surrounded by people, Carter took a pill laced with fentanyl and fatally overdosed. Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024 One of the girls flagged down nearby police, telling them Gorman had overdosed. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 6 Feb. 2024 On Monday, Harrison, through his rep, told TMZ that his son had overdosed on fentanyl. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024 McClain weighed 143 pounds, but was given a higher dose of ketamine than recommended for someone his size and overdosed, according to Adams County coroner's office pathologist Stephen Cina in his testimony. Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2024 The nasal spray usually has immediate results and few adverse effects, even if the person suspected of overdosing on an opioid has not actually taken any drugs. The Indianapolis Star, 4 Jan. 2024

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.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of overdose was in 1700

Dictionary Entries Near overdose

Cite this Entry

“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdose. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

overdose

1 of 2 noun
over·​dose ˈō-vər-ˌdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
: too great a dose
overdosage noun

overdose

2 of 2 verb
over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
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 How to pronounce overdose (audio)
: too great a dose (as of a therapeutic agent)
an overdose of exposure to the sunMorris Fishbein
also : a lethal or toxic amount (as of a drug)

overdose

2 of 2 verb
over·​dose ˌō-vər-ˈdōs How to pronounce overdose (audio)
overdosed; overdosing

transitive verb

: to give an overdose or too many doses to

intransitive verb

: to take or experience an overdose
usually used with on
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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