Meaning & use
intravenous
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounmedical
Existing or happening inside a vein, or given directly into a vein.
Grammar: Used before a noun, as in intravenous injection or intravenous drug use. Often abbreviated IV.
Patterns
- intravenous injection
- intravenous drip
- intravenous drug use
- intravenous fluids
The patient received intravenous antibiotics to treat the infection.
Intravenous drug use carries a high risk of blood-borne infections.
She was put on an intravenous drip to prevent dehydration.
adjectivebefore a nounmedical
Relating to the inside of a vein.
Grammar: Describes something within a vein, such as a blood clot or a line.
Patterns
- intravenous line
- intravenous catheter
- intravenous thrombosis
The nurse inserted an intravenous line into his arm.
An intravenous catheter allows easy access to the bloodstream.
Intravenous thrombosis is a rare but serious condition.
Common combinations
- intravenous drip
- The patient was connected to an intravenous drip for hydration.
- intravenous injection
- An intravenous injection delivers medication directly into the bloodstream.
- intravenous drug use
- Intravenous drug use increases the risk of HIV transmission.
- intravenous antibiotics
- She was given intravenous antibiotics for the severe infection.
Synonyms and how they differ
- IV
- IV is the common abbreviation for intravenous; it is used especially in medical notes and informal speech.
Opposites
Word family
- intravenously adverb
- In a way that goes into a vein: The drug was administered intravenously.
Commonly confused: intravenous or intramuscular?
intravenous vs intramuscular
Intramuscular means into a muscle, while intravenous means into a vein. Both are routes for medication but target different tissues.
Practice
Which route delivers medication directly into the bloodstream?
Choose one answer.
Intravenous means into a vein, so it delivers medication directly into the bloodstream. Oral goes through the digestive system, intramuscular into a muscle, and topical onto the skin.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “intravenous”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.