syringe

1 of 2

noun

sy·​ringe sə-ˈrinj 

also

ˈsir-inj 

: a device used to inject fluids into or withdraw them from something (such as the body or its cavities): such as

a

: a device that consists of a nozzle of varying length and a compressible rubber bulb and is used for injection or irrigation

b

: an instrument (as for the injection of medicine or the withdrawal of bodily fluids) that consists of a hollow barrel fitted with a plunger and a hollow needle

c

: a gravity device consisting of a reservoir fitted with a long rubber tube ending with an exchangeable nozzle that is used for irrigation of the vagina or bowel

syringe

2 of 2

verb

syringed; syringing

transitive verb

: to irrigate or spray with or as if with a syringe

Synonyms

Noun

• hype [slang]
• hypodermic
• hypodermic needle
• hypodermic syringe
• needle

Examples of syringe in a Sentence

Noun

the syringe the nurse was leveling at my arm looked to me to be at least 10 inches long

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Moderna filed with regulators in July for full approval of the one syringe shot for adults ages 60 and older. —Bysheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2023

The 5-year-old looked nervously at her older brothers, scanning their faces for any sign of distress as needles were swiftly stuck into their upper arms, the syringe plungers pushed in and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine administered. —Megan Specia, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English syring, from Anglo-French siringe, from Medieval Latin syringa, from Late Latin, injection, from Greek syring-, syrinx panpipe, tube

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1610, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing syringe

• hypodermic syringe

Kids Definition

syringe

1 of 2 noun

sy·​ringe sə-ˈrinj 

 also  ˈsir-inj

: a device used to inject fluids into or withdraw them from the body or its cavities

syringe

2 of 2 verb

syringed; syringing

: to flush or cleanse with or as if with a syringe

Medical Definition

syringe

noun

sy·​ringe

sə-ˈrinj also ˈsir-inj

: a device used to inject fluids into or withdraw them from something (as the body or its cavities): as

a

: a device that consists of a nozzle of varying length and a compressible rubber bulb and is used for injection or irrigation

an ear syringe

b

: an instrument (as for the injection of medicine or the withdrawal of bodily fluids) that consists of a hollow barrel fitted with a plunger and a hollow needle

c

: a gravity device consisting of a reservoir fitted with a long rubber tube ending with an exchangeable nozzle that is used for irrigation of the vagina or bowel

syringe transitive verb

syringed; syringing