intake
Americannoun
-
the place or opening at which a fluid is taken into a channel, pipe, etc.
-
an act or instance of taking in.
an intake of oxygen.
-
something that is taken in.
-
a quantity taken in.
an intake of 50 gallons a minute.
-
a narrowing; contraction.
noun
-
a thing or a quantity taken in
an intake of students
-
the act of taking in
-
the opening through which fluid enters a duct or channel, esp the air inlet of a jet engine
-
a ventilation shaft in a mine
-
a contraction or narrowing
an intake in a garment
Etymology
Origin of intake
First recorded in 1515–25; noun use of verb phrase take in
Explanation
The act of consuming food can be called intake. A veterinarian might advise you to limit your dog's intake of pizza crusts, for example. While the process of eating can be called your intake, unless you're a militant dieter who weighs every ounce of food you consume, you're most likely to hear the word intake in a hospital or doctor's office. Caregivers might be concerned about a patient's intake of calories if he's very sick, or a dietitian might recommend an elderly woman increase her intake of calcium.
Vocabulary lists containing intake
"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 2
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!
Articles on Nutrition
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!
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.
People with the highest legume intake were 16% less likely to develop hypertension compared with those eating the lowest amounts.
From Science Daily • May 26, 2026
He is an active member in Human Line’s online channels and is hoping to become an intake person.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
Wells Fargo analysts said AI metrics in Dell’s earnings report remain key and that investors will be taking note of AI order intake and backlog.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
Installations, complete with blinking lights, video and music, now occupy former intake, surgery and recovery floors.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
They floated aimlessly, until one by one they were slowly sucked into the intake screen of our air-conditioning system.
From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins
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.
