inject
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪndʒˈɛkt/
US
- /ˌɪnˈdʒɛkt/
Description
- insert
- introduce
- infuse
Think of a doctor giving a shot: they inject medicine into your body. But this word is not just about needles. It means putting one thing into another, often in a direct or purposeful way. You can inject flavor into food, ideas into a conversation, or new energy into a tired team. A writer might inject humor into a serious story, and a government might inject money into the economy. In tech, people also use it for putting code, data, or commands into a system.
To inject means to put or force something into something else, often in a direct and intentional way. Many people first meet this word in medicine, where a doctor or nurse injects a vaccine, drug, or other liquid into the body with a needle. That is the most literal use, but the word is also common in many other situations.
You can inject enthusiasm into a project, meaning you bring fresh energy to it. A cook might inject marinade into meat so the flavor goes inside. In a figurative sense, a comment can inject doubt into your mind, or a speaker can inject humor into a tense discussion. In business or economics, a company or government might inject money into a market, bank, or project to support it or help it grow.
The central idea is that something is being put in, not just placed nearby or added on top. Often there is a sense of purpose, force, or strong effect. If you inject cream into a doughnut, it goes inside. If you inject life into a dull event, you make it more lively. If harmful code is injected into software, something unwanted has been inserted into the system.
So, whether the context is medicine, food, conversation, finance, or software, inject describes the act of putting something into something else in a way that is meant to have an effect.
Examples
- 1
Medical injection
The nurse injected the medicine into his arm.
- 2
Pain relief
The doctor injected him with a painkiller before the operation.
Pattern
inject someone with + substance
give them that substance by injection
- 3
Economic support
The central bank injected billions of dollars into the economy.
Pattern
inject money into + place/system
put money into it to support it
- 4
Team energy
The new manager has injected fresh energy into the team.
- 5
Creative tone
The director wanted to inject the film with more humor.
Pattern
inject something with + quality
add that quality to it
- 6
Conversation topic
Don't try to inject politics into every conversation.
Pattern
inject something into a conversation
bring it in, often when it does not fit naturally
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- injectverb
Forms
- injectedpast tenseverb
- injecting-ing formverb
- injectsverb