dose
DOHS
Dose (noun) means a measured amount of medicine taken at one time. Example: “The label warns you not to take more than one dose a day.”
noun
1
A measured amount of medicine taken at one time.
"The label warns you not to take more than one dose a day."
"Take one dose every eight hours with food."
"The vet calculated the correct dose based on the dog's weight."
verb
1
To give someone a dose of medicine or a drug.
"She dosed the sick child with cough syrup before bedtime."
"The farmer dosed the sheep against worms every spring."
"The nurse dosed the patient with painkillers before the procedure."
How to use dose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne measured amount of medicine, or the act of giving it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
double dose
lethal dose
dose of medicine
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Word forms
- Plural
- doses
- Third person singular
- doses
- Past tense
- dosed
Fill the gap
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The label warns you not to take more than one _____ a day.
Etymology
From Greek dosis, "a giving," via Latin and French — related to the verb "to give."
Related words
Rhymes for dose
See all rhymes for dose →Frequently asked questions
What does “dose” mean?
The word “dose” means a measured amount of medicine taken at one time. In plain terms, one measured amount of medicine, or the act of giving it.
How do you pronounce “dose”?
“Dose” is pronounced DOHS (/ˈdoʊ̯s/ in IPA).
How do you use “dose” in a sentence?
Here is “dose” used in a sentence: “Take one dose every eight hours with food.”
What part of speech is “dose”?
Depending on how it is used, “dose” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dose” come from?
The word “dose” comes from Latin. From Greek dosis, "a giving," via Latin and French — related to the verb "to give.".
Is “dose” a common word?
“Dose” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “dose” have?
“Dose” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a measured amount of medicine taken at one time.
What is the difference between dose and dosage?
A dose is a single measured amount of medicine taken at one time. Dosage refers to the overall regimen, including the size, number, and timing of doses. One tablet is a dose, while "one tablet twice a day" describes the dosage.
What is the difference between dose and doze?
These are different words that sound similar. A dose is a measured amount of medicine, or the act of giving it, while to doze is to sleep lightly. Watch the spelling: dose ends in -se, but doze ends in -ze.
Can dose be used as a verb?
Yes. As a verb, dose means to give someone a dose of medicine or a drug, as in "she dosed the child with cough syrup." As a noun it names the measured amount itself.
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