# syringe

/ˈsɪɹɪndʒ/ (US) · /sɪɹˈɪndʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/syringe
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. medical tool

noun · CEFR B2

a small tube with a needle and a plunger used to give medicine or take blood.

For teachers: a medical device comprising a hollow cylinder and a piston, used for injecting or withdrawing fluids through a membrane or needle.

- The nurse prepared the syringe with the correct dose of the vaccine.
- The laboratory technician carefully disposed of the used syringe in a puncture-resistant sharps container to prevent accidental injury.

### 2. to clean with liquid

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to wash or clean a part of the body, like an ear, using a stream of water from a syringe.

For teachers: to irrigate or cleanse a body cavity or wound by means of a syringe.

- The doctor had to syringe my ear to remove the built-up wax.
- The specialist recommended syringing the affected ear canal with a warm saline solution to alleviate the blockage safely.

Usage: The verb is transitive and usually takes the body part as the direct object.

### 3. to inject

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

to put a liquid into something using a syringe.

For teachers: to inject a substance into a subject or material using a syringe.

- The scientist syringed the dye into the small tube for the experiment.
- The technician syringed the chemical catalyst directly into the reaction chamber to ensure an immediate and uniform distribution.

## Examples

- The nurse prepared the syringe for the vaccination.
- After drawing the medicine into the syringe, the doctor checked for air bubbles before giving the injection.
- Modern medical facilities use disposable plastic syringes to prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens, replacing the glass versions that required sterilization between uses.

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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.