intravenous

American  

[in-truh-vee-nuhs] / ˌɪn trəˈvi nəs /

adjective

1. within a vein.

2. of, pertaining to, employed in, or administered by injection into a vein.

   an intravenous solution.

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noun

1. an intravenous injection.

2. intravenous feeding. IV

intravenous British  

/ ˌɪntrəˈviːnəs /

adjective

1. Abbreviations (esp of an injection): IV.   i.v..  anatomy within a vein

   an intravenous injection

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intravenous Scientific  

/ ĭn′trə-vē′nəs /

1. Existing or occurring within a vein.

2. Administered into a vein, as an injection.

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intravenous Cultural  

1. A descriptive term for things within a vein. Intravenous feeding or medication is the passing of nutrients or medicines into a vein through a tube.

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Other Word Forms

• intravenously
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of intravenous

First recorded in 1840–50; intra- + venous

Explanation

If you're severely dehydrated, your nurse will rig up an intravenous drip to get liquid into you: she'll skip your mouth and plug directly into your veins. Intravenous can be broken down to intra-, meaning "within" or "via," and venous, meaning "of the veins." Often in hospitals you will be given water or nutrients from intravenous drips — you've surely seen these on TV if not at the hospital: plastic bags of liquid connected to a tube going into someone's arm. It's a way to get needed stuff into your body without waiting for the digestive system to handle it.

Example Sentences

Since 2015, NHS patients have received the world's best-selling drug through a drip – or intravenous infusion – which can take more than an hour to administer in hospital.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

The tribunal heard he intravenously administered vitamin C and garlic oil to both patients as a treatment for cancer and reused intravenous bags, exposing patients to risk of serious infection.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

The company added that the treatment, known as Tepezza OBI and administered in a subcutaneous form, achieved efficacy that is comparable with the intravenous version.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Traditionally, CD40 therapies were given through intravenous infusion.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

“Those won’t help, not now. No, there’s no medicine. In a hospital they give transfusions and intravenous nutrients.”I can’t do that, of course.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien

Related Words

• drip