put in

British  

verb

1. (intr) nautical to bring a vessel into port, esp for a brief stay

   we put in for fresh provisions

2. (often foll by for) to apply or cause to apply (for a job, in a competition, etc)

3. (tr) to submit

   he put in his claims form

4. to intervene with (a remark) during a conversation

5. (tr) to devote (time, effort, etc) to a task

   he put in three hours overtime last night

6. (tr) to establish or appoint

   he put in a manager

7. (tr) cricket to cause (a team, esp the opposing one) to bat

   England won the toss and put the visitors in to bat

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noun

1. rugby the act of throwing the ball into a scrum

put in Idioms  

1. Make a formal offer of, as in a court of law. For example, He put in a plea of not guilty . [Mid-1400s]

2. Interpose, interject; see put in a good word ; put one's oar in .

3. Spend time at a location or job, as in He put in three years at hard labor , or She put in eight hours a day at her desk . [Mid-1800s]

4. Plant, as in We put in thirty new trees . [Early 1800s]

5. Enter a port or harbor, as in The yacht will put in here for the night . [Early 1600s]

6. put in for . Request or apply for something, as in I put in for a raise , or John put in for department supervisor . [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

But Riley has put in so much work of his own wowing us with pointed pranks that he’s earned the right to deliver an earnest plea.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

The 33-year old says he was imprisoned on his own for a whole year before being put in a cell with other prisoners.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

The policing of what we choose to put in our bodies has been — and continues to be — relentless.

From Salon • May 17, 2026

“I put in 15 years to get where I am,” Drawas, 45, says.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

I’d put in eight hours at work, part of Sandy June’s early-morning prep crew before we opened at eleven.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• break
• break off
• cut off
• cut short
• delay
• discontinue
• disturb
• halt
• heckle
• hinder
• hold up
• impede
• prevent
• punctuate
• stop
• suspend