inject

verb

in·​ject in-ˈjekt 

injected; injecting; injects

transitive verb

1

a

: to introduce into something forcefully

inject fuel into an engine

b

: to force a fluid into (as for medical purposes)

inject a drug into the bloodstream

2

: to introduce as an element or factor in or into some situation or subject

condemning any attempt to inject religious bigotry into the campaign

—Current Biography

injectable

in-ˈjek-tə-bəl 

adjective or noun

injector

in-ˈjek-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• edge in
• fit (in or into)
• insert
• insinuate
• intercalate
• interject
• interpolate
• interpose
• intersperse
• introduce
• sandwich (in or between)
• work in

Examples of inject in a Sentence

She told a few jokes to inject a little humor into her speech.

We need to inject some life into this party.

Recent Examples on the Web

Before undergoing fear conditioning, these mice were injected with a gene editing tool that increases the activity of enzymes that place these markers on DNA. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

All of the teams had time to innovate, polish, and build something that injects fresh air into a storied franchise that many thought was on its deathbed after a rough few years. —Cade Onder, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024

According to election analysts, such threats could involve cyberattacks, foreign interference, or injecting bad actors into the election process as poll watchers, or, more dangerously, as workers. —Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2024

Southern haberdasher Sid Mashburn sees his similarity discreet iteration as a way to inject a bit more personality into the penguin look. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin injectus, past participle of inicere, from in- + jacere to throw — more at jet

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

inject

verb

in·​ject in-ˈjekt 

1

a

: to throw, drive, or force into something

inject fuel into an engine

b

: to force a fluid into (a part of the body) especially for medical reasons

2

: to introduce as an additional element

injected humor into her speech

injectable

-ˈjek-tə-bəl 

adjective

injector

-ˈjek-tər 

noun

Medical Definition

inject

transitive verb

in·​ject in-ˈjekt 

1

: to force a fluid into (a vessel, cavity, or tissue) for preserving, hardening, or coloring structures

2

: to introduce (as by injection or gravity flow) a fluid into (a living body) especially for the purpose of restoring fluid balance, treating nutritional deficiencies or disease, or relieving pain

also : to treat (an individual) with injections