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Overdosing: meaning, definitions and examples

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overdosing

 

[ ˌoʊvərˈdoʊsɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical condition

Overdosing is the act of consuming an excessive amount of a drug or substance, often leading to severe physiological or psychological effects. It is a critical health issue that can occur with both prescription medications and illicit drugs. Overdosing may result in life-threatening conditions, requiring immediate medical intervention. The specific consequences of an overdose depend on the type of substance used, the amount consumed, and the individual's health status.

Synonyms

intoxication, overconsumption, poisoning

Examples of usage

  • The overdose led to a hospital admission.
  • He survived an accidental drug overdose.
  • Education on overdosing risks is crucial.

Translations

Translations of the word "overdosing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 overdose

🇮🇳 ओवरडोजिंग

🇩🇪 Überdosierung

🇮🇩 overdosis

🇺🇦 передозування

🇵🇱 przedawkowanie

🇯🇵 オーバードーズ

🇫🇷 surdose

🇪🇸 sobredosis

🇹🇷 aşırı doz

🇰🇷 과다복용

🇸🇦 جرعة زائدة

🇨🇿 předávkování

🇸🇰 predávkovanie

🇨🇳 过量服用

🇸🇮 predoziranje

🇮🇸 ofskammt

🇰🇿 артық дозалау

🇬🇪 მოზრდილი დოზა

🇦🇿 doza aşımı

🇲🇽 sobredosis

Etymology

The term 'overdose' comes from the combination of 'over,' meaning excessively, and 'dose,' referring to the prescribed or measured amount of a drug. The word began to be used more commonly in the early to mid-20th century as the consumption of various drugs, particularly those of controlled substances, became more widespread. Overdosing has become a significant concern in modern medicine and society due to the rising rates of substance abuse and dependence. Legal and illegal drugs are both associated with the risk of overdose, which can stem from misunderstanding dosages, using multiple substances simultaneously, or consuming drugs that are more potent than anticipated. Awareness and education on the dangers of overdosing have significantly increased due to public health campaigns aimed at reducing drug-related fatalities.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,637, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.