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
dosed; dosing
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
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 May 2025
The best way to contain measles is two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella).
—Maria Godoy, NPR, 9 May 2025
Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
But using them together can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which requires careful monitoring and dose adjustments at times.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dose
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
One dose is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective against measles, the CDC says.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 9 May 2025
The best way to contain measles is two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella).
—Maria Godoy, NPR, 9 May 2025
Verb
Coffees available range in price from around $8 to $50 per pour and change daily based on what’s in the mini freezer, where Chacon and Ball dose beans at their peak post-roasting status (three weeks according to the couple) into one-way valve test tubes to store for months, or in some cases, years.
—Emily Bloch, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
But using them together can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which requires careful monitoring and dose adjustments at times.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dose
Cite this Entry
“Dose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dose. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dose
1 of 2 noun1
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 noun1
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
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
: to take medicine
he is forever dosing but he gets worse
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