intravenous

adjective

in·​tra·​ve·​nous ˌin-trə-ˈvē-nəs How to pronounce intravenous (audio)
: situated, performed, or occurring within or entering by way of a vein
an intravenous injection
also : used in or using intravenous procedures
an intravenous solution
intravenously adverb

Examples of intravenous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The standard form of the drug is an intravenous infusion that takes around 30 minutes. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 More importantly, since the lethal injection protocol requires an intravenous line insertion, the person administering it has to be competent in IV infusion. — M. Sara Rosenthal, STAT, 13 Oct. 2026 Xuan was seated in a wheelchair with a bandage on the back of his neck and intravenous ports sticking out of his chest. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 In May, Tennessee halted another execution when an intravenous line could not be established into an inmate. — Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intravenous

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intravenous was circa 1849

Phrases Containing intravenous

Rhymes for intravenous

See All Rhymes for intravenous

Browse Nearby Words

intravascular
intravenous
intravenous immunoglobulin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intravenous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intravenous. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

intravenous

adjective
in·​tra·​ve·​nous ˌin-trə-ˈvē-nəs How to pronounce intravenous (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce intravenous (audio)
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
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