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
Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
In 2022, nearly 108,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
—Kelsie Hoffman, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2024
Unlike homicides and suicides, medical deaths at the jail, including overdoses, typically lack any independent oversight, a Bee investigation last year found.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 23 Apr. 2024
In Los Angeles County, the number of overdose deaths tied to fentanyl skyrocketed between 2016 and 2022, soaring from 109 to 1,910, according to a county report.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
Both said they hadn’t been convinced that research or data backed the use of such sites, which are open in New York City and have reported zero overdose deaths among drug users at the sites.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
Instead of calling for medical help, investigators say 26-year-old Michael Ray Reed searched YouTube for information on how to make a child throw up and tried to get naloxone, a medication that can be used to reverse opioid overdoses, delivered via DoorDash.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
The band was dealt a tragic loss when its talented lead singer Nick Trainer — son of author Danielle Steele — died from an overdose at age 19 after a long struggle with being bipolar.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
Prior to his death, attributed to a drug overdose, the comedian and actor was in talks to voice the titular character in Shrek.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024
Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
During the festival, a Sugar Creek police officer heard radio traffic about a man who had overdosed.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Don't worry, dogs and humans alike cannot overdose on CBD, but taking too much can sometimes cause drowsiness or an upset stomach.
—Holistapet, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
End Overdose The organization provides training and tools to treat people who overdose and prevent death through education, medical intervention and public awareness.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Department records show more than 500 people have overdosed in local jails since 2021, including at least 15 this year.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
The group also continued, with partners, a program in Lower, East and West Price Hill to reach and provide services to people who had overdosed most frequently.
—The Enquirer, 15 Mar. 2024
When someone overdoses from fentanyl, breathing slows and their skin often turns a bluish hue.
—Mike Baker, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024
And for somebody who already uses opioids, overdosing from buprenorphine is nearly impossible.
—Lauren Peace, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
Wagner lost his son Harrison, who died in June 2022 at age 27 from an accidental drug overdose.
—Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024
In 2022, nearly 108,000 Americans died from drug overdoses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
—Kelsie Hoffman, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2024
Unlike homicides and suicides, medical deaths at the jail, including overdoses, typically lack any independent oversight, a Bee investigation last year found.
—Theresa Clift, Sacramento Bee, 23 Apr. 2024
In Los Angeles County, the number of overdose deaths tied to fentanyl skyrocketed between 2016 and 2022, soaring from 109 to 1,910, according to a county report.
—Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
Both said they hadn’t been convinced that research or data backed the use of such sites, which are open in New York City and have reported zero overdose deaths among drug users at the sites.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
Instead of calling for medical help, investigators say 26-year-old Michael Ray Reed searched YouTube for information on how to make a child throw up and tried to get naloxone, a medication that can be used to reverse opioid overdoses, delivered via DoorDash.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2024
The band was dealt a tragic loss when its talented lead singer Nick Trainer — son of author Danielle Steele — died from an overdose at age 19 after a long struggle with being bipolar.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
Prior to his death, attributed to a drug overdose, the comedian and actor was in talks to voice the titular character in Shrek.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Apr. 2024
Verb
Fort Worth police responded to the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program school on Sanguinet Street at about 9 a.m. Monday regarding a teenage boy who had possibly overdosed on a school bus and was not breathing.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024
During the festival, a Sugar Creek police officer heard radio traffic about a man who had overdosed.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2024
Don't worry, dogs and humans alike cannot overdose on CBD, but taking too much can sometimes cause drowsiness or an upset stomach.
—Holistapet, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
End Overdose The organization provides training and tools to treat people who overdose and prevent death through education, medical intervention and public awareness.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Department records show more than 500 people have overdosed in local jails since 2021, including at least 15 this year.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2024
The group also continued, with partners, a program in Lower, East and West Price Hill to reach and provide services to people who had overdosed most frequently.
—The Enquirer, 15 Mar. 2024
When someone overdoses from fentanyl, breathing slows and their skin often turns a bluish hue.
—Mike Baker, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024
And for somebody who already uses opioids, overdosing from buprenorphine is nearly impossible.
—Lauren Peace, CNN, 27 Mar. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near overdose
Cite this Entry
“Overdose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdose. Accessed 29 Apr. 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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