Meaning & use
input
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
Ideas, advice or opinions that people contribute to a discussion or project.
Grammar: Usually uncountable: we need your input.
Patterns
- input from someone
- input into something
We would value your input on the new design.
The final plan included input from teachers and parents.
She gave valuable input during the meeting.
nouncountable or uncountabletechnical
Information, power or material that goes into a machine, system or process.
Grammar: Contrasts with output.
Patterns
- input to something
The program rejects any invalid input.
A power input of ten volts is needed.
The system takes sensor input every second.
verbtransitivecomputing
To enter data into a computer or other system.
Grammar: Takes an object: input the data.
Patterns
- input something into something
She inputted the figures into the spreadsheet.
Please input your password.
The clerk input the customer details.
Word forms
| third person singular | inputs |
|---|---|
| past tense | input or inputted |
| past participle | input or inputted |
| -ing form | inputting |
Common combinations
- valuable input
- Her valuable input improved the report.
- input data
- Input data must be checked for errors.
- user input
- The app waits for user input.
- seek input
- The council will seek input from residents.
- input device
- A keyboard is an input device.
Synonyms and how they differ
- contribution
- Contribution is broader and may mean money or effort, not just ideas.
- feedback
- Feedback is a response to something already done.
- data
- Data refers to the information itself, not to the act of entering it.
- enter
- Enter is the plainer verb and works for names, numbers or places.
Opposites
Word family
- output noun
- what a system produces
- inputs noun
- plural of input
- inputting noun
- the act of entering data
- throughput noun
- the amount processed in a given time
Commonly confused: input or inputed?
input vs inputed
Inputed is a common misspelling. Use input or inputted.
Practice
Which is the correct past tense of the verb input?
Choose one answer.
Inputted is an accepted past form, and input also works. Inputed is a misspelling, and inputting is the -ing form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “input”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.