intravenous

adjective

in·​tra·​ve·​nous ˌin-trə-ˈvē-nəs 

: situated, performed, or occurring within or entering by way of a vein

also : used in or using intravenous procedures

intravenously adverb

Examples of intravenous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The life-threatening infection requires intravenous antibiotics to be administered quickly. —Christopher O'Donnell, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2025

Physicians typically treat ischemic stroke by giving an intravenous medicine that breaks up blood clots. —Katia Hetter, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025

In the last decade, the Food and Drug Administration has approved several injectable or intravenous drugs for such patients. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 2 Jan. 2025

The most common treatments were intravenous fluids and anti-anxiety drugs. —Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1849, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing intravenous

• intravenous immune globulin
• intravenous immunoglobulin

Kids Definition

intravenous

adjective

in·​tra·​ve·​nous ˌin-trə-ˈvē-nəs 

: being within or entering by way of the veins

intravenous feeding

intravenously adverb

Medical Definition

intravenous

adjective

in·​tra·​ve·​nous ˌin-trə-ˈvē-nəs 

1

: situated within, performed within, occurring within, or administered by entering a vein

an intravenous feeding

intravenous inflammation

2

: used in intravenous procedures

intravenous needles

an intravenous solution

intravenously adverb