intoxication
noun
in·tox·i·ca·tion
in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən 
1
a
: the condition of having physical or mental control markedly diminished by the effects of alcohol or drugs
drank to the point of intoxication
cocaine intoxication
b
: a strong excitement or elation
The mere knowledge that they are on an island, a little world entirely surrounded by the sea, fills them with an indescribable intoxication …—
Christine Osborne
Christine Osborne2
: an abnormal state that is essentially a poisoning
carbon monoxide intoxication
Examples of intoxication in a Sentence
there's a firm distinction between the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages and overindulgence to the point of intoxication
the intoxication felt by two people who have just fallen in love
Recent Examples on the Web
The official cause of death was pneumonia, with complications from anemia and intoxication from legal drugs.
—Danny Horn, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
And the intoxication of his camera with the leads’ physicality is entirely contagious.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
By law, the Medical Examiner’s Office is required to investigate any deaths of a sudden and unexpected nature, as well as any death related to an injury or intoxication.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
Patel was arrested on two counts of battery and one count of disorderly intoxication.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2024
Across the state line in 2020, another toddler, age 2, died in Johnson County and a 9-month old died in Leavenworth County of fentanyl intoxication.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
He was arrested for public intoxication days after his second College Football Championship
The week after leading the Georgia Bulldogs to their second national championship in a row, Bennett was arrested in Dallas on Jan. 15, 2023, and charged with public intoxication.
—Greta Bjornson, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
While extremely uncommon, caffeine intoxication can turn lethal.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024
He had been arrested in Santa Monica in January 2022 for shoplifting and last June for public intoxication, resisting arrest and battery on a police officer, according to Aklufi.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024
Danny Horn, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
And the intoxication of his camera with the leads’ physicality is entirely contagious.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
By law, the Medical Examiner’s Office is required to investigate any deaths of a sudden and unexpected nature, as well as any death related to an injury or intoxication.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024
Patel was arrested on two counts of battery and one count of disorderly intoxication.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2024
Across the state line in 2020, another toddler, age 2, died in Johnson County and a 9-month old died in Leavenworth County of fentanyl intoxication.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024
He was arrested for public intoxication days after his second College Football Championship
The week after leading the Georgia Bulldogs to their second national championship in a row, Bennett was arrested in Dallas on Jan. 15, 2023, and charged with public intoxication.
—Greta Bjornson, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024
While extremely uncommon, caffeine intoxication can turn lethal.
—Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024
He had been arrested in Santa Monica in January 2022 for shoplifting and last June for public intoxication, resisting arrest and battery on a police officer, according to Aklufi.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intoxication.' 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 intoxication
Cite this Entry
“Intoxication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intoxication. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intoxication
noun
in·tox·i·ca·tion
in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən
1
a
: an unhealthy state that is or is like a poisoning
carbon monoxide intoxication
b
: the condition of being drunk
2
: a strong excitement or elation
the intoxication of success
Medical Definition
intoxication
noun
in·tox·i·ca·tion
in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən
1
: an abnormal state that is essentially a poisoning
hypokalemia potentiates digoxin intoxication—W. H. Abelmann et al.
W. H. Abelmann et al.no evidence of cocaine intoxication—Margaret M. McCarron et al.
Margaret M. McCarron et al.acute carbon monoxide intoxication
2
: the condition of being drunk : inebriation
Legal Definition
intoxication
noun
in·tox·i·ca·tion
in-ˌtäk-sə-ˈkā-shən
1
: the state or condition of being intoxicated
2
: a defense based on inability to form the requisite specific intent to commit a crime due to intoxication
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