dosage

American  

[doh-sij] / ˈdoʊ sɪdʒ /

noun

1. the administration of medicine in doses.

2. the amount of medicine to be given.

3. Physics. dose.

4. the process of adding a sugar solution to champagne and other sparkling wines before final corking.

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dosage British  

/ ˈdəʊsɪdʒ /

noun

1. the administration of a drug or agent in prescribed amounts and at prescribed intervals

2. the optimum therapeutic dose and optimum interval between doses

3. another name for dose dose

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Etymology

Origin of dosage

First recorded in 1840–50; dose + -age

Explanation

Dosage is the amount of medicine you take and how often you take it. The recommended dosage for your antibiotic might be one pill twice a day for a week, for example. Prescription medications, as well as drugs like aspirin or cough syrup that you buy over the counter, include the dosage information on the bottle or container. Nutritional supplements, such as vitamin C, also include a dosage or a suggested quantity to take. In medicine, dose is used to mean "amount" and dosage to mean "frequency."

Example Sentences

Dosage recommendations at Shiloh gave orderlies what Mills called an unusually wide berth to determine how much medicine to give the children.

From Salon • Jun. 21, 2018

Dosage After disgorgement, the Champagne is generally sweetened a bit before it’s corked to balance the often searing acidity of the wine.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2016

Dosage is adjusted gradually, especially for older patients, Smallridge said.

From Washington Post • May 23, 2016

Dosage is a concern for patients and their caregivers, too.

From Washington Times • Aug. 23, 2014

“What do you mean, a formula for dosage? Dosage of what?”

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

• application
• lot
• measure
• measurement
• prescription
• quantity
• shot