intubate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to insert a tube into (the trachea, digestive tract, etc.).
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to treat (a patient) by inserting a tube into the trachea, digestive tract, etc.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of intubate
Explanation
To intubate is to insert a tube into something or someone. This is usually a medical procedure, so don't try to intubate someone at home. See the word tube hiding in intubate? That's a clue that this is a word for inserting a tube somewhere, usually into a person for a medical purpose. Intubating is often performed on people who are having throat problems: the tube is inserted into the throat, allowing the patient to breathe. Other types of intubating may be used to feed a patient who is unable to eat.
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:
You can intubate any one of us, I think.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2025
In serious cases, doctors might have to provide adrenaline to counteract the reaction or even intubate the patient.
From Scientific American ● Sep. 23, 2023
The lawsuit points out that no family member was contacted for consent to intubate Ginn’s corpse.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 1, 2023
Some doctors are more reluctant to intubate young patients; sometimes the patients themselves refuse it.
From New York Times ● Oct. 6, 2022
"They intubate everyone and stick them on a ventilator for no reason, just 'out of precaution' as the doctor told me — without consent from the family. Tampa General Hospital is evil."
From Salon ● Sep. 19, 2021
He was intubated and admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit, the journal notes.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
Lewis was intubated and needed a specialized procedure across the state to survive.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025
Dr Sergio Alfieri added that the Pope was never intubated and always remained alert and oriented in hospital.
From BBC ● Apr. 20, 2025
“Last thing I remember was being intubated and waking up after an emergency craniotomy,” Ban said in December.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2025
“You have patients of your own to deal with. Let’s get this young woman intubated and transferred to the OR. That will do her more good than all this dillydallying around!”
From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman
The prosecution acknowledged that its case was "complicated by the sub-optimal treatment" given to Baby H, namely that there was an "unacceptable delay" in intubating her and administering medicine to help her lungs.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2023
“It’s not so much like they’re COVID-sick patients that we’re intubating left and right.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 24, 2022
He pondered what to tell patients before intubating them.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 23, 2021
But the vacation was canceled, and Ashley will likely be intubating and caring for patients in the I.C.U. over the coming months during the Covid-19 pandemic.
From New York Times ● May 12, 2020
A Adult's size; B, child's size; C, infant's diagnostic size; D, anterior commissure laryngoscope; E, with drainage canal; 17, intubating laryngoscope, large lumen.
From Bronchoscopy and Esophagoscopy A Manual of Peroral Endoscopy and Laryngeal Surgery by Jackson, Chevalier
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.
