WordGarden.ioimplant
A2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈɪmˌplænt/
Meanings
Noun
a device, material, or tissue placed inside the body
covert software or hardware placed in a computer system
Verb
to place a device, material, or tissue inside the body
to put an idea, feeling, or memory firmly in someone's mind
to set something firmly or deeply in a place or surface
Beyond the definition
An implant isn't just something from science fiction. It can be something placed inside the body, like an artificial tooth root, a pacemaker, or a tiny chip used to identify a pet. As a verb, it means to put something in and fix it there.
The word can also be used figuratively. A painful experience might implant fear in someone's mind, or a clever speaker might implant an idea in someone's head. In both literal and figurative use, the core idea is the same: something is put deep inside and stays there.
To implant something means to insert it into a body, surface, or system so that it stays there. In medicine, this is the most common use. A doctor may implant a pacemaker to help control the heart, a dental post to replace a missing tooth root, or a cochlear device to help with hearing. As a noun, an implant is the object that has been put in place.
The word is also used for other things placed deeply inside something else. A tiny tracking chip can be implanted under an animal's skin. In biology, tissue or material can be implanted into the body. The idea is not just simple placement, but placement that is meant to last.
Figuratively, implant often refers to putting an idea, feeling, memory, or belief deeply into someone's mind. A traumatic event might implant a fear that lasts for years. An advertisement, rumor, or persuasive speech might implant a suggestion that slowly shapes the way a person thinks.
The noun form usually refers to the physical object itself: "The dental implant felt secure," or "Researchers are developing new brain implants." In everyday English, this noun sense is strongly connected to medicine and technology, while the verb is common in both physical and figurative contexts.
So, whether it is a medical device, a tiny chip, or an idea that settles deep in the mind, implant is about putting something in so firmly that it becomes part of the thing that receives it.
Examples
- 1
Medical device
Doctors implanted a small device in his chest to help control his heartbeat.
- 2
Dental care
After the accident, she got two dental implants.
- 3
Under the skin
The chip is implanted under the skin of the arm, so you can hardly see it.
- 4
Persuasion
The ad campaign tried to implant the idea that everyone needed the latest phone.
- Patternimplant the idea that + clause
make people start to believe it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
False memories
Interviewers have to be careful not to implant false memories in children.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- implant a device
- surgically implant
- implant a chip
Word family
Explore
- prosthesis
- medical device
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- implantnounverb
Forms
- implantspluralnounverb
- implantedpast tenseverbnoun
- implanting-ing formverbnoun