intravenous

adjective

in·​tra·​ve·​nous ˌin-trə-ˈvē-nəs 

: situated, performed, or occurring within or entering by way of a vein

also : used in or using intravenous procedures

intravenously adverb

Examples of intravenous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At that point, intravenous infusion of liquids, including electrolytes, multivitamins, glucose, and potassium, will be immediately necessary. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

If symptoms worsen or do not get better within 48 hours, then the person will likely be admitted to the hospital for intravenous (IV) antibiotics delivered through a line in a vein. —Patty Weasler, Verywell Health, 11 June 2025

Pancreatitis often requires some form of treatment, such as pain medication, intravenous fluids, and possibly intensive care treatment.2 2. —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 26 June 2025

The extensive infection would ideally be combated by intravenous delivery of a powerful anti-parasitic. —ArsTechnica, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1849, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing intravenous

• intravenous immune globulin
• intravenous immunoglobulin

Rhymes for intravenous

• salvelinus
• arteriovenous
• cleanness
• freeness
• genus
• minas
• penis
• venous
• venus
• dominus
• fraxinus
• lupinus

Kids Definition

intravenous

adjective

in·​tra·​ve·​nous ˌin-trə-ˈvē-nəs 

: being within or entering by way of the veins

intravenous feeding

intravenously adverb

Medical Definition

intravenous

adjective

in·​tra·​ve·​nous ˌin-trə-ˈvē-nəs 

1

: situated within, performed within, occurring within, or administered by entering a vein

an intravenous feeding

intravenous inflammation

2

: used in intravenous procedures

intravenous needles

an intravenous solution

intravenously adverb