Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

lethal dose

noun

/ˈliːθl dōs/

Definition

The amount of a substance that can cause death or serious harm to an organism.

Examples

In studies involving laboratory animals, researchers often determine the lethal dose of a substance to assess its toxicity.
The lethal dose of caffeine for humans is estimated to be around 10 grams, which is equivalent to consuming a large number of cups of coffee.
He was unaware of the lethal dose of medication he had taken, which led to serious health complications.

Meaning

Lethal dose refers to the specific quantity of a toxic substance required to kill a particular organism, often expressed in terms of weight per body weight (e.g., mg/kg). It is a critical measure in toxicology and pharmacology.