input

1 of 2

noun

in·​put ˈin-ˌpu̇t 

1

: something that is put in: such as

a

: advice, opinion, comment

b

: information fed into a data processing system or computer

c

: power or energy put into a machine or system for storage, conversion in kind, or conversion of characteristics usually with the intent of sizable recovery in the form of output

d

: an amount put in

increased input of fertilizer increases crop yield

e

: a stimulus that acts on and is integrated into a bodily system

sensory input

f

: a component of production (such as land, labor, or raw materials)

2

: the means by which or the point at which an input (as of energy, material, or data) is made

3

: the act or process of putting in

input

2 of 2

verb

inputted or input; inputting

transitive verb

: to enter (data) into a computer or data processing system

Synonyms

Noun

• intake

Examples of input in a Sentence

Noun

I need your input on what to have for dinner.

She provided some valuable input at the start of the project.

The computer gets its input from a keyboard or mouse.

This VCR has several audio inputs.

The job will require a considerable input of money.

The data is ready for input into a computer.

Verb

She inputted the sales figures into the spreadsheet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The final decisions on these players have not taken place yet, and input from a new defensive coordinator will weigh into final opinions, but this is a snapshot of the current trending direction. —Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025

Driving Cross-Functional Engagement Effective AI governance necessitates input from various functions and departments within healthcare organizations. —Ed Gaudet, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Verb

Bexar County residents can input their address on this map to discover their representatives at the federal, state, county and city levels. Between the lines: Sometimes just a handful of very loud people drive public policy discussions. —Tasha Tsiaperas, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025

Then, input the delivery address to see if the retailer offers the service nearby. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1946, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

input

1 of 2 noun

in·​put ˈin-ˌpu̇t 

1

: power, energy, a signal, or information put into a machine or system

2

: advice, comment

3

: a point at which an input is put in

4

: the act or process of putting in

input

2 of 2 verb

inputted or input; inputting

: to enter (as data) into a computer