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
David Barefield, 55, died May 12 of fentanyl and methamphetamine intoxication, with cardiovascular disease as a contributing factor, one of three men to die at the understaffed facility in just six weeks, The Bee previously reported.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025
After a while the female would come around, and none of the females observed during the study died as a result of the intoxication, said Chung, indicating some resistance to TTX.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
According to Gamble, each of the three standard field sobriety tests has a likelihood of 79% or higher of indicating intoxication in a driver.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 12 Apr. 2025
One of the biggest dangers of giving water to an infant is water intoxication, a condition that occurs when too much water dilutes the concentration of sodium in the blood.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intoxication
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Sharon Bernstein, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025
After a while the female would come around, and none of the females observed during the study died as a result of the intoxication, said Chung, indicating some resistance to TTX.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
According to Gamble, each of the three standard field sobriety tests has a likelihood of 79% or higher of indicating intoxication in a driver.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 12 Apr. 2025
One of the biggest dangers of giving water to an infant is water intoxication, a condition that occurs when too much water dilutes the concentration of sodium in the blood.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intoxication
Cite this Entry
“Intoxication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intoxication. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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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