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

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

Community survey Residents can answer a nine-question survey to give input on the plans for the area. —Jake Allen, IndyStar, 7 Aug. 2025

However, the company also makes a series of ergonomic mice and input devices that can help people who find using a regular mouse painful or difficult. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Verb

The employee can input information about the machine and the error code that’s on display, and then retrieve detailed instructions on how to address the issue. —John Kell, Fortune, 16 July 2025

More than 200 million users trust the platform enough to input their credit cards. —Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 27 June 2025

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