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• inject
  inject

  verb (used with object)

  to force (a fluid) into a passage, cavity, or tissue.
• inject.
  inject.

  abbreviation

  (in prescriptions) an injection.

inject

¹ American  

[in-jekt] / ɪnˈdʒɛkt /

verb (used with object)

1. to force (a fluid) into a passage, cavity, or tissue.

   to inject a medicine into the veins.

2. to introduce (something new or different).

   to inject humor into a situation.

3. to introduce arbitrarily or inappropriately; intrude.

4. to interject (a remark, suggestion, etc.), as into conversation.

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inject. ² American  

abbreviation

1. (in prescriptions) an injection.

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inject British  

/ ɪnˈdʒɛkt /

verb

1. med to introduce (a fluid) into (the body of a person or animal) by means of a syringe or similar instrument

2. (foll by into) to introduce (a new aspect or element)

   to inject humour into a scene

3. to interject (a comment, idea, etc)

4. to place (a rocket, satellite, etc) in orbit

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Other Word Forms

• injectable
  adjective
• reinject
  verb (used with object)
• uninjected
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of inject¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin injectus, past participle of in(j)icere “to throw in,” equivalent to in- “in” + -jec- (combining form of jac- “to throw”) + -tus past participle suffix; see in- ²

Origin of inject.²

From the Latin word injectiō

Explanation

To inject is to give an injection, or a shot. When your doctor tells you that you need a flu shot, she wants to inject you with a vaccine that will help keep you from getting sick. You are most likely to hear the verb inject at the doctor's office. Veterinarians inject dogs each year with rabies vaccines, and sometimes if you're sick enough, a doctor or nurse might need to inject you with antibiotics. You can use inject in a figurative way, too: "I'd like to inject a new topic into this conversation, it's getting so boring." The Latin root is inicere, "to throw in" or "to throw on."

Example Sentences

“Trump does the same material so much, people start yelling requests. They’re, like, ‘Do Inject Bleach!’”—

From New York Times • Dec. 19, 2023

Inject a cluster of neighborhoods with massive seed capital to leverage private and philanthropic commitments.

From Washington Post • Jun. 3, 2022

But an episode of Nip/Tuck, the plastic surgery TV show, gave Sanford an idea: Inject Botox to numb the limb.

From Science Magazine • May 11, 2022

Inject this movie into my veins immediately, please.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 30, 2021

Inject two ounces of black coffee, at blood heat, into the rectum.

From The Home Medical Library, Volume I (of VI) by Winslow, Kenelm

Related Words

• add
• implant
• infuse
• insert
• instill
• interject