verb
ingest
ihn-JEHST
Ingest (verb) means to take something, especially food or drink, into the body, usually by swallowing. Example: “Always check labels if you have allergies before ingesting anything new.”
verb
1
To take something, especially food or drink, into the body, usually by swallowing.
"Always check labels if you have allergies before ingesting anything new."
"The dog accidentally ingested some chocolate."
2
To take data into a computer system for processing.
"The software ingests millions of records every night."
How to use ingest
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo take something into the body (or, for computers, into a system) so it can be processed.
When to use it
More formal/technical than everyday words like "eat" or "drink," and standard in tech contexts for importing data.
Common pairings
ingest data
accidentally ingest
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- ingests
- Past tense
- ingested
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Always check labels if you have allergies before _____ anything new.
Etymology
From Latin ingerere, "to carry in."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ingest” mean?
The word “ingest” means to take something, especially food or drink, into the body, usually by swallowing. In plain terms, to take something into the body (or, for computers, into a system) so it can be processed.
How do you pronounce “ingest”?
“Ingest” is pronounced ihn-JEHST (/ɪnˈd͡ʒɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “ingest” in a sentence?
Here is “ingest” used in a sentence: “Always check labels if you have allergies before ingesting anything new.”
What is another word for “ingest”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ingest” include consume, discuss, get outside, partake, put away and touch.
What part of speech is “ingest”?
“Ingest” is a verb.
Where does the word “ingest” come from?
The word “ingest” comes from Latin. From Latin ingerere, "to carry in.".
How many meanings does “ingest” have?
“Ingest” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to take something, especially food or drink, into the body, usually by swallowing.
