ingest

verb

in·​gest in-ˈjest How to pronounce ingest (audio)
ingested; ingesting; ingests

transitive verb

: to take in for or as if for digestion
ingestible adjective
ingestive adjective

Examples of ingest in a Sentence

The drug is more easily ingested in pill form. claims that the average person ingests considerably more calories than is necessary or desirable
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One change the governor was advocating for this year is getting lead lures and sinkers out of Minnesotans’ tackle boxes, as ingesting the metal is harmful to aquatic birds, most notably the common loon. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025 Mercury is especially toxic to pregnant women, fetuses and children in early ages, according to the World Health Organization, and is commonly ingested through fish and other seafood. Lindsey Choo, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025 The highly contagious virus is found in the stool and blood of infected people, and can be contracted by unknowingly ingesting contaminated food and drink. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025 Connecticut has several poisonous berries, plants and mushrooms that, if ingested, could lead to serious illness or death. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ingest

Word History

Etymology

Latin ingestus, past participle of ingerere to carry in, from in- + gerere to bear

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ingest was in 1620

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ingest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ingest. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

ingest

verb
in·​gest in-ˈjest How to pronounce ingest (audio)
: to take in for or as if for digestion
ingestion noun

Medical Definition

ingest

transitive verb
in·​gest in-ˈjest How to pronounce ingest (audio)
: to take in for or as if for digestion

More from Merriam-Webster on ingest

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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