English Reference
noun · verb

intake

n. · v.
US /ˈɪnˌteɪk/ UK /ˈɪnteɪk/ in·take UK spelling intakes

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    n.the amount of food, drink, or air that you take into your body.

    n.the quantity of a substance, such as nutrients or fluids, consumed by an organism.

    Simple

    You should reduce your daily salt intake to stay healthy.

    In context

    The nutritionist recommended a significant increase in water intake to counteract the dehydrating effects of the new medication.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    n.the place where air, water, or fuel is taken into a machine or pipe.

    n.an opening or structure through which a fluid is admitted into a system or engine.

    Simple

    The mechanic checked the air intake to see if it was blocked by leaves.

    In context

    Engineers redesigned the turbine's intake to maximize airflow efficiency during high-altitude flight conditions.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    n.a group of people who start at a school or company at the same time.

    n.a specific cohort of individuals admitted to an organization or educational institution during a particular period.

    Simple

    This year's intake of medical students is the largest in the university's history.

    In context

    The annual intake of apprentices has doubled since the government introduced the new vocational training subsidies.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency AcademicTechnical Science

    n.the part of a language lesson that a student actually remembers and understands.

    n.the subset of linguistic input that is cognitively processed and internalized by a learner.

    Simple

    Teachers must ensure that classroom input actually becomes intake for the students.

    In context

    The study investigates the variables that determine how much comprehensible input is successfully converted into intake during communicative tasks.

    Usage

    Used in second-language acquisition theory to distinguish between what is heard (input) and what is learned.

    internalization
  5. 05 C1 Advanced Formal

    v.to take something in or bring it inside.

    v.to draw in or receive from an external source.

    Simple

    The vents intake fresh air from the roof of the building.

    In context

    The system is designed to intake raw data from multiple sensors before processing it into a unified report.

Choosing more water-rich, high-fiber plant foods may help people lower their calorie intake while still eating enough to feel satisfied.

ScienceDaily· 17 Aug 2026

A daily glass of 100% fruit juice or a smoothie may help improve more than just fruit intake.

ScienceDaily· 10 Aug 2026

From English dialectal (Northern England/Scotland), deverbal of take in, equivalent to in- + take. More at in-, take.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated