input

1 of 2

noun

in·​put ˈin-ˌpu̇t 

1

: something that is put in: such as

a

: advice, opinion, comment

b

: information fed into a data processing system or computer

c

: power or energy put into a machine or system for storage, conversion in kind, or conversion of characteristics usually with the intent of sizable recovery in the form of output

d

: an amount put in

increased input of fertilizer increases crop yield

e

: a stimulus that acts on and is integrated into a bodily system

sensory input

f

: a component of production (such as land, labor, or raw materials)

2

: the means by which or the point at which an input (as of energy, material, or data) is made

3

: the act or process of putting in

input

2 of 2

verb

inputted or input; inputting

transitive verb

: to enter (data) into a computer or data processing system

Synonyms of input

Noun

• intake

Examples of input in a Sentence

Noun

I need your input on what to have for dinner.

She provided some valuable input at the start of the project.

The computer gets its input from a keyboard or mouse.

This VCR has several audio inputs.

The job will require a considerable input of money.

The data is ready for input into a computer.

Verb

She inputted the sales figures into the spreadsheet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The full receipts on this $499 investment are still forthcoming, so stay tuned for Allure's deep-dive review (with input from dental professionals) now that the CameraJet is out of the bag. — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026

Price increases brought on by climbing input costs factor in to the elevated revenue guidance, Jeff Clarke, Dell's operating chief, said on a conference call with analysts. — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Verb

Choose your hotel and input your flight information during the booking process to receive the discount. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

After a user inputs the plate number, the lookup tool will inform them whether it has been searched. — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for input

• afoot
• barefoot
• bigfoot
• blackfoot
• caput
• clubfoot
• cocksfoot
• crowfoot
• forefoot
• output
• rajput
• throughput

Kids Definition

input

1 of 2 noun

in·​put ˈin-ˌpu̇t 

1

: power, energy, a signal, or information put into a machine or system

2

: advice, comment

3

: a point at which an input is put in

4

: the act or process of putting in

input

2 of 2 verb

inputted or input; inputting

: to enter (as data) into a computer