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

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends tethering the tree to a hook to stop it from toppling and monitoring your dog to avoid pine needle ingestion. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Studies conducted by The Ohio State University in cooperation with the Society of American Florists concluded that no toxicity was evident at experimental ingestion levels far exceeding those likely to occur in a home environment. —Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 29 Nov. 2024

Magnet ingestion can lead to bowel perforation, septic infection and death. —Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024

High-dose garlic ingestion may also cause gastrointestinal symptoms, bad breath, and body odor. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 Dec. 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