dose

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: the measured quantity of a therapeutic agent to be taken at one time
b
: the quantity of radiation administered or absorbed
2
: a portion of a substance added during a process
3
: an amount of something likened to a prescribed or measured quantity of medicine
a daily dose of hard work
a dose of scandal
4
: a gonorrheal infection

dose

2 of 2

verb

dosed; dosing

transitive verb

1
: to give a dose to
especially : to give medicine to
2
: to divide into doses
dose a medicine
3
: to treat with an application or agent

Examples of dose in a Sentence

Noun I've been taking the same dose for five years. a large dose of vitamin C The drug is lethal even in small doses. a large dose of sugar a high dose of radiation Her parents hoped a daily dose of hard work would keep her out of trouble. He needs a good dose of reality. Verb Most patients are dosed at 50 milligrams per day.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Or get a double dose with the Gravedigger (for two). Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024 Amid Sparklehorse’s woozy surrealism, this is a suitably odd dose of tenderness. Zach Schonfeld, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Needless to say, Carol was not killed with all of the people that Genet had shot and dosed with zombie Red Bull. Charlie Mason, TVLine, 20 Oct. 2024 Older people should speak to their healthcare providers about using melatonin and best dosing practices.19 Kids and teens: There are not enough clinical studies of melatonin use in kids and teens. Willow Jarosh, Ms, Rd, Health, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dose 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin dosis, from Greek, literally, act of giving, from didonai to give — more at date

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dose was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near dose

Cite this Entry

“Dose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dose. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

dose

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: the measured amount of a medicine to be taken at one time
b
: the quantity of radiation given or absorbed
2
: a portion of a substance added during a process
3
: an experience to which one is exposed
a dose of hard work

dose

2 of 2 verb
dosed; dosing
1
: to give medicine to
2
: to treat with something

Medical Definition

dose

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: the measured quantity of a therapeutic agent to be taken at one time
b
: the quantity of radiation administered or absorbed
2
: a gonorrheal infection

dose

2 of 2 verb
dosed; dosing

transitive verb

1
: to divide (as a medicine) into doses
2
: to give a dose to
especially : to give medicine to
3
: to treat with an application or agent

intransitive verb

: to take medicine
he is forever dosing but he gets worse
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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