inject

verb

in·​ject in-ˈjekt 

injected; injecting; injects

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

injectable

in-ˈjek-tə-bəl 

adjective or noun

injector

in-ˈjek-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• edge in
• fit (in or into)
• insert
• insinuate
• intercalate
• interject
• interpolate
• interpose
• intersperse
• introduce
• sandwich (in or between)
• work in

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 on the Web

Witnesses sit in dark rooms with curtains drawn until corrections officers open them seconds before the drug is injected. —CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024

Not only is such exposition a poor substitute for more specific references that could inject more personality, it’s supplemented by actual film clips wedged into the episodes via cuts that come off both abrupt and distracting. —Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024

Medically, ketamine is injected as a liquid directly into a vein or muscle via a syringe needle. —Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024

One of my favorite ways to inject a complementary color in a room is with a simple bunch of single-color flowers, orange tulips in a pale blue bedroom, say, or pink roses in a hunter green study. —Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024

What would that even mean, other than having a gang of suits crunch cash-flow numbers and inject themselves into creative decision-making? —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

So that includes controlling the compressor motor speed, improving the timing when the vapor is injected into the compressor. —Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Apr. 2024

In recent years, records show, inmates have died from jumping off railings, banging their heads against a wall and injecting drugs with makeshift needles — all in view of jail surveillance cameras that no one watched until later. —Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024

The severity of a rattlesnake bite can vary depending on the size of the snake, the amount of venom injected and the location of the bite. —The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

inject

verb

in·​ject in-ˈjekt 

1

a

: to throw, drive, or force into something

inject fuel into an engine

b

: to force a fluid into (a part of the body) especially for medical reasons

2

: to introduce as an additional element

injected humor into her speech

injectable

-ˈjek-tə-bəl 

adjective

injector

-ˈjek-tər 

noun

Medical Definition

inject

transitive verb

in·​ject in-ˈjekt 

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