intravenous

adjective

in·​tra·​ve·​nous ˌin-trə-ˈvē-nəs 

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

an intravenous injection

also : used in or using intravenous procedures

an intravenous solution

intravenously adverb

Examples of intravenous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those warnings concern intravenous use, rather than injection into the spinal canal as alleged in Gilbert’s lawsuit. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026

Unable to swallow, with advanced Alzheimer’s, she was being fed by intravenous drip. — Kieran Setiya, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2026

However, the warning is based on a risk that applies to adults who are receiving high, intravenous doses -- not the much smaller, intramuscular vitamin K dose babies receive. — Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

Treatment for the renal syndrome can include intravenous fluids, tube feeding, medications, blood transfusions and potentially dialysis if patients have severe kidney damage, the Cleveland Clinic said. — Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

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