input
Americannoun
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inputs
plural
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something that is put in.
-
the act or process of putting in.
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the power or energy supplied to a machine.
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the current or voltage applied to an electric or electronic circuit or device.
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Computers.
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data to be entered into a computer for processing.
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the process of introducing data into the internal storage of a computer.
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contribution of information, ideas, opinions, or the like.
Before making a decision we need your input.
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the available data for solving a technical problem.
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Scot. a monetary contribution, as to charity.
adjective
verb (used with object)
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inputs,
present (3rd person singular)
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input,
past participle, past
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inputted,
past participle, past
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inputting
present participle
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Computers. to enter (data) into a computer for processing.
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to contribute (ideas, information, or suggestions) to a project, discussion, etc.
noun
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the act of putting in
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that which is put in
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(often plural) a resource required for industrial production, such as capital goods, labour services, raw materials, etc
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electronics
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the signal or current fed into a component or circuit
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the terminals, or some other point, to which the signal is applied
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computing the data fed into a computer from a peripheral device
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(modifier) of or relating to electronic, computer, or other input
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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inputsimple
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inputssimple
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have inputperfect
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have inputtedperfect
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has inputperfect
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has inputtedperfect
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am inputtingprogressive
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are inputtingprogressive
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is inputtingprogressive
-
have been inputtingperfect progressive
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has been inputtingperfect progressive
Past
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inputsimple
-
inputtedsimple
-
had inputperfect
-
had inputtedperfect
-
was inputtingprogressive
-
were inputtingprogressive
-
had been inputtingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of input
Explanation
Input is that which is, well, put in—whether literally, as in "the input from the guitar to the speaker," or more conceptually, as in "the group leader wanted everybody's input." The verb input, in the computer sense, didn't exist much before the late 1940's when it became common among computer professionals, who input data into their machines. Why they weren't satisfied just to "put in" the data, we may never know. Before that, the noun input was an economic term meaning anything that went into production: the grain was just one input among several required for the production of cereal. But often, these days, input means a contribution of some kind, usually a thought. You'll thank me for my input later.
Vocabulary lists containing input
Economics
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Unit 1: Ecological Systems
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Functions (Introductory)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He said it was his idea to immortalize that pose and that he had a lot of input on how the final product would look.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026
The inevitable decision to punish Grealish, taken at high level within the club but with input and full support from Moyes, leaves him at the crossroads.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
Purchasing managers’ surveys showed continued expansion in economic activity this month, although the pace of growth slowed, while manufacturers reported a sharp increase in input prices.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
That means “the increase in prices received by grain producers is not keeping up with input costs so far,” he added.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026
But Milkman wanted to do this by himself, with no input from anybody.
From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison
“Advertisers provide initial inputs, including budget and duration, and Amazon’s AI plans, executes, and continually optimizes the rest,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz revealed the Persian Gulf’s “major role in fertilizer and the inputs that go into fertilizer,” the report notes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
The increased cost of electronic inputs in computers and consumer electronics goods is estimated to make up around 15 basis points in total to core PCE inflation until late in 2027.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
Drawing on national reports and other inputs, a "global review" of collective improvements and pitfalls is being finalised.
From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026
And what weight should we assign each of the many inputs that affect a child’s outcome: genes, family environment, socioeconomic level, schooling, discrimination, luck, illness, and so on?
From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt
You can check your tax returns by making sure that the information this CPA inputted is correct; the software will do the rest.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 27, 2026
Employees who previously inputted orders are now focused on collecting receivables, Singh said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026
They then inputted these charge values into computational models to mathematically predict how strong the electric field would be when a wasp approaches a caterpillar on a plant.
From Science Daily ● May 24, 2024
Its records go back to 2004, which allows many to see who was on a team or how many yards rushing someone had, if a school inputted the information.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2022
Images, data, and simulations are part of the work and part of the shared knowledge, already available in formats that can be inputted for further work or can be technologically tested.
From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Mihai Nadin
With the growth of clinical testing, nurses are also coordinating care with a bevy of specialists and inputting electronic health records—often on 12-hour shifts with no more than a 30-minute break.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
The hotel chain launched an investigation which has been unable to find anyone responsible for inputting the message, but is now planning to roll out antisemitism training for staff in response.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026
If necessary, redo your taxes yourself, inputting the correct data.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 27, 2026
One of AI’s most significant contributions so far is extracting data from standard common tax forms such as W-2s and 1099s and inputting it into tax returns.
From Barron's ● Jan. 31, 2026
She was inputting the different situations given to the team by the judges, but the results weren’t turning out like they’d predicted.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
