# input

/ˈɪnˌpʊt/ (US) · /ˈɪnpʊt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/input
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. advice or ideas

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

ideas, advice, or opinions that you share to help with a project or decision.

For teachers: contribution of work, information, or opinion intended to influence a decision or outcome.

- The manager asked for my input on the new office design before making a final choice.
- The committee welcomed stakeholder input during the initial drafting phase to ensure the new policy addressed community concerns.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to advice.

### 2. computing data

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

information or signals that are put into a computer or machine.

For teachers: data or signals fed into a process or device for processing or storage.

- The system failed because the data input was in the wrong format.
- The algorithm requires high-quality sensor input to calculate the trajectory with the necessary precision.

### 3. electrical connection

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the place where you plug a wire into a piece of electronic equipment.

For teachers: a component, such as a jack or socket, where a signal or power enters an electronic device.

- Check the audio input on the back of the TV if you can't hear any sound.
- The amplifier features multiple digital inputs, allowing users to connect several high-fidelity sources simultaneously.

### 4. to enter data

verb · CEFR B2

to type or put information into a computer system.

For teachers: to enter data into a computer or electronic system for processing.

- It took the clerk all afternoon to input the customer details into the database.
- The researchers spent weeks inputting the raw survey results into the statistical software for further analysis.

Usage: The past tense and past participle can be either 'input' or 'inputted'.

## Examples

- The computer processes the input and shows the result.
- The manager asked for everyone's input on the new office layout before making a final decision.
- High-quality data input is essential for the algorithm to generate accurate predictions, as any initial errors will be magnified during the processing phase.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.