input
Americannoun
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something that is put in.
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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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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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are inputtingprogressive
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am inputtingprogressive
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is inputtingprogressive
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have been inputtingperfect progressive
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has been inputtingperfect progressive
Past
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inputsimple
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inputtedsimple
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had inputperfect
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had inputtedperfect
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was inputtingprogressive
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were inputtingprogressive
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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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Geometry - High School
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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.
Our brains were not built for this scale of input.
From Science Daily • Jun. 16, 2026
Consumer Reports tested 30 routes across 17 states by having volunteers input start and end points to check prices without actually ordering a ride.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026
But the PMI for manufacturing still indicates further slowing in May with demand under pressure and rising input costs due to the war, Colijn adds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026
“Contracts, inventories, freight costs, and input prices from March, April, and May are already moving toward Q2 earnings.”
From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026
There's no way I’m waiting for an elevator, but I don’t want Mom’s input right now.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
