inject

verb in·ject \ in-ˈjekt \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of inject

transitive verb

1 a : to introduce into something forcefully

inject fuel into an engine

b : to force a fluid into (as for medical purposes)

inject a drug into the bloodstream

2 : to introduce as an element or factor in or into some situation or subject

condemning any attempt to inject religious bigotry into the campaign
—Current Biography

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injectable

play \in-ˈjek-tə-bəl\ adjective or noun

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injector

play \in-ˈjek-tər\ noun

See inject defined for English-language learners

See inject defined for kids

Examples of inject in a Sentence

She told a few jokes to inject a little humor into her speech.
We need to inject some life into this party.

Recent Examples of inject from the Web

Ocado seems to have caught on to this concern: Kroger will take a 5% stake in the company, injecting 183 million pounds.

— Fortune, "Grocery Delivery Wars: Kroger Is Fending Off Amazon's Whole Foods With a New Service of Its Own," 17 May 2018
Kelly eventually confessed to injecting her husband with heroin and then smothering him to death in their home.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Whitest Cookout Ever: Woman Suspected of Killing Lover, Serving His Remains at Barbecue," 17 May 2018
The vast majority of those diagnosed, more than 85 percent, reported having injected drugs in the past six months.

— shari rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "Marion County could get needle exchange program, as hepatitis C rates soar," 17 May 2018
Creed Pettit got his first eye injected with Luxturna at Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute, in Miami, one day after Jack’s first surgery.

— eric boodman, STAT, "After nerve-wracking eye surgery, the world comes into focus for early gene therapy recipient," 17 May 2018
As the Patriots fell hopelessly behind, Tom Brady handled his teammates with a certain fire, injecting belief that his team was still in command.

— albert breer, SI.com, "The Jets’ Long Road to Sam Darnold," 16 May 2018
Missick is particularly mesmerizing as the femme fatale who injects a film noir aspect to the proceedings.

— frank scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Paradise Blue': Theater Review," 15 May 2018
In the case of a kidney abnormality, doctors would typically thread a thin tube through a blood vessel, often starting in the groin, and inject a substance to cut off blood flow to the benign tumor or malformation.

— kim painter, USA TODAY, "Q&A: What might be going on with Melania Trump's benign kidney condition," 15 May 2018
No matter the formaldehyde content, on a basic level, keratin treatments dive into the hair follicle and inject porous areas with keratin, an essential hair protein.

— ashley weatherford, The Cut, "The Everything Guide to Keratin Treatments," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inject.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of inject

Latin injectus, past participle of inicere, from in- + jacere to throw — more at jet

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1601

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

inject Synonyms

INJECT Defined for English Language Learners

inject

verb

Definition of inject for English Language Learners

: to force a liquid medicine or drug into someone or something by using a special needle
: to force (a liquid) into something
: to add (something) to something : to introduce (a particular quality) into something

INJECT Defined for Kids

inject

verb in·ject \ in-ˈjekt \

Definition of inject for Students

injected; injecting

1 : to force a fluid (as a medicine) into by using a special needle

2 : to introduce as something needed or additional

He tried to inject confidence into his brother.

Word Root of inject

The Latin word jacere, meaning “to throw,” and its form jactus give us the root ject. Words from the Latin jacere have something to do with throwing. To reject is to throw back or away. To eject is to throw out. To inject is to throw one thing into another. To project is to throw forward onto a surface.

Medical Dictionary

inject

transitive verb in·ject \ in-ˈjekt \

medical Definition of inject

1 : to force a fluid into (a vessel, cavity, or tissue) for preserving, hardening, or coloring structures

2 : to introduce (as by injection or gravity flow) a fluid into (a living body) especially for the purpose of restoring fluid balance, treating nutritional deficiencies or disease, or relieving pain; also : to treat (an individual) with injections