input
Americannoun
-
something that is put in.
-
the act or process of putting in.
-
the power or energy supplied to a machine.
-
the current or voltage applied to an electric or electronic circuit or device.
-
Computers.
-
data to be entered into a computer for processing.
-
the process of introducing data into the internal storage of a computer.
-
-
contribution of information, ideas, opinions, or the like.
Before making a decision we need your input.
-
the available data for solving a technical problem.
-
Scot. a monetary contribution, as to charity.
adjective
verb (used with object)
-
Computers. to enter (data) into a computer for processing.
-
to contribute (ideas, information, or suggestions) to a project, discussion, etc.
noun
-
the act of putting in
-
that which is put in
-
(often plural) a resource required for industrial production, such as capital goods, labour services, raw materials, etc
-
electronics
-
the signal or current fed into a component or circuit
-
the terminals, or some other point, to which the signal is applied
-
-
computing the data fed into a computer from a peripheral device
-
(modifier) of or relating to electronic, computer, or other input
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
inputsimple
-
inputssimple
-
have inputperfect
-
have inputtedperfect
-
has inputperfect
-
has inputtedperfect
-
am inputtingprogressive
-
are inputtingprogressive
-
is inputtingprogressive
-
have been inputtingperfect progressive
-
has been inputtingperfect progressive
Past
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Unit 1: Ecological Systems
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Geometry - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
Apple’s “economics are under pressure owing to structurally rising input costs and supply chain constraints, neither of which will improve in the near term, we believe,” she wrote in a Friday note.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
"My fear is that if we didn't give them something like Cyber Choices, where would they get that input and where would that input take them?"
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
Lysol maker Reckitt Benckiser is hiking some prices to offset higher input costs triggered by the war in Iran, its chief executive said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
The building has not been purchased, no major funding has been secured and organizers say community input will help determine what the project ultimately becomes before fundraising begins.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
“I can input star charts and order you a smoothie, if you want. Of course I can do latitude and longitude!”
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Capital and labor are the two fundamental inputs into an economy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
Results were also dented by reduced international refining runs because of a 10 percent drop in crude oil inputs.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
“Wheat is a significant driver of food prices…through direct consumption, processed food inputs, and cross-commodity linkages,” Maley adds.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
That’s partially the consequence of blockages of the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial thoroughfare not only for middle eastern oil, but also for such industrial inputs as fertilizer and aluminum.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
To Monod, diauxie suggested that genes could be regulated by metabolic inputs.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
If the CPA was using software, it’s pretty hard to get it wrong — unless he inputted the correct numbers.
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
And this new technology does that automatically, virtually mimicking the function of a pancreas - although it still requires information on food intake to be inputted at mealtimes to work accurately.
From BBC ● Apr. 1, 2024
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 Nadin, Mihai
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
Using the agent, Levi’s can finish inputting certain orders within minutes, whereas it used to take days, Chief Financial and Growth Officer Harmit Singh said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 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
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.
