inject
verb (used with object)
to force (a fluid) into a passage, cavity, or tissue.
inject
1 American
[in-jekt]
/ ɪnˈdʒɛkt /
verb (used with object)
-
to force (a fluid) into a passage, cavity, or tissue.
to inject a medicine into the veins.
-
to introduce (something new or different).
to inject humor into a situation.
-
to introduce arbitrarily or inappropriately; intrude.
-
to interject (a remark, suggestion, etc.), as into conversation.
inject.
2
American
abbreviation
inject
British
/ ɪnˈdʒɛkt /
verb
-
med to introduce (a fluid) into (the body of a person or animal) by means of a syringe or similar instrument
-
(foll by into) to introduce (a new aspect or element)
to inject humour into a scene
-
to interject (a comment, idea, etc)
-
to place (a rocket, satellite, etc) in orbit
Other Word Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing inject
Vocabulary from the Poem “Touchscreen” by Marshall Davis Jones
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Latin Love, Vol II: iacere
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The Night Diary
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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.
It would ultimately inject $13 billion in total, a stake now valued at $228 billion -- 17 times the initial investment.
From Barron's • May 11, 2026
They get a bank authorized to create or redeem ETF shares to inject cash into the fund in exchange for stock the fund owns that’s about to be bought, removed from an index or rebalanced.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026
Redick tried to inject some energy into the group by benching veterans Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt for small mistakes early, but the coach later admitted the tactic didn’t work.
From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026
In this method, pest control workers drill into infested wood, reach the termite "gallery" or hiding area, and inject insecticide directly inside.
From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026
Mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles may inject into the human bloodstream the single-celled organism of malaria.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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.
