ingestion

noun

in·​ges·​tion in-ˈjes-chən 

-ˈjesh-

: the act or process of taking in something for or as if for digestion : the act or process of ingesting something

A Cochrane review showed that ingestion of cranberry products may decrease the number of symptomatic urinary tract infections in women …

—Giovanni Montini et al.

Celiac disease is the immune-mediated response to ingestion of gluten from wheat, rye and barley that damages the small intestine.

—Valerie Putnam

After two years of almost manic ingestion of book after book—Montaigne, Milton, Seneca, Dante—he began to write Moby-Dick.

—Andrew Delbanco

Examples of ingestion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These risks are in the context of external acute exposure to high levels of the chemical, or ingestion of the chemical on its own, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

And the periodontal bacteria—that travel via the bloodstream, inhalation or ingestion—may also cause infections or exacerbate inflammation in other parts of the body. —Lola Butcher, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024

Fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for 18 to 45-year-olds — most of them caused by unintentional ingestion by young, novice and casual drug users. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024

Human trials are needed to determine dosages and safety of ingestion, among other things. —Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2024

What do opponents and proponents think of the bill? House bill sponsor Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Lakewood Ranch, has said his legislation is a consumer protection tool, pointing to an increase in calls to the poison control line about hemp ingestion. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024

He was diagnosed with accidental exposure to alcohol and accidental ingestion, according to the report. —Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024

Generic viagra typically starts working within 30-60 minutes after ingestion. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2023

How lead damages the body Lead enters the body through three routes: ingestion, absorption or inhalation. —Aaron Specht, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1620, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ingestion

noun

in·​ges·​tion in-ˈjes(h)-chən 

: the taking of material (as food) into the digestive system