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in·put (ĭnpt)
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n.
1. Something put into a system or expended in its operation to achieve output or a result, especially:
a. Energy, work, or power used to drive a machine.
b. Current, electromotive force, or power supplied to an electric circuit, network, or device.
c. Information put into a communications system for transmission or into a computer system for processing.
d. Any of the items, including materials, equipment, and funds, required for production.
2.
a. The act of putting in; infusion: a steady input of fuel.
b. An amount put in.
3. Contribution of information or a comment or viewpoint: a discussion with input from all members of the group.
tr.v. in·put·ted or in·put, in·put·ting, in·puts
To enter (data or a program) into a computer.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.