injection
C1Formal, Technical, Medical, Financial
Definition
Meaning
The act of forcing a liquid, especially a medicine or drug, into a person's body using a needle and syringe.
The introduction of something (money, resources, energy, a new element) into a system or situation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a forceful or pressurized introduction of something into a container, body, or system. It often carries connotations of necessity, urgency, or remedial action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling and pronunciation are standard. Both varieties use 'injection' in medical and figurative contexts.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. Primarily associated with medical procedures and financial stimulus.
Frequency
Equally common in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[receive/give/administer] an injection [of something][massive/large/small] injection [of capital/funds]injection [into something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a shot in the arm”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a sum of money added to a business to help it survive or grow, e.g., 'The startup needed a cash injection to continue operations.'
Academic
Used in scientific writing to describe the introduction of a substance into an organism or system, e.g., 'The experiment involved the injection of a tracer dye.'
Everyday
Primarily refers to medical vaccinations or treatments, e.g., 'I have to get a flu injection every year.'
Technical
Specific uses in medicine (hypodermic), engineering (fuel injection), and computing (dependency injection).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The doctor will inject the vaccine.
- The government needs to inject capital into the rail network.
American English
- The nurse injected the medication into my arm.
- The new policy aims to inject competition into the market.
adverb
British English
- The drug is administered injectably.
- (Note: 'injectably' is rare; 'by injection' is standard.)
American English
- The medicine is given injectably in severe cases.
- (Note: 'injectably' is rare; 'via injection' is standard.)
adjective
British English
- The injection process was quick.
- We attended an injection training course for caregivers.
American English
- The injection site was sore for a day.
- The car uses direct injection technology.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The nurse gave me an injection in my arm.
- I don't like injections; they hurt.
- You need an injection before travelling to some countries.
- The company got a large cash injection from investors.
- The doctor administered the injection intravenously.
- The economic recovery plan includes a substantial fiscal injection.
- The novel drug delivery system allows for a slow, sustained injection of the therapeutic agent.
- Critics argue that constant capital injections distort the free market.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of IN + PROJECTION. You project a liquid INto something.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADDING FUEL / MEDICINE (Introducing something needed into a system is giving it an injection.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'инъекция' (direct loanword, correct) and 'укол' (more colloquial 'shot' or 'jab'). In financial contexts, 'вливание' (infusion) is a closer conceptual match than a direct translation.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'injection' for oral medicine (pills/liquid). Confusing 'injection' (process/act) with 'syringe' (the tool).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, an 'injection' most likely refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An injection is the method (using a needle). A vaccination is a type of treatment (against a disease) often given by injection.
Yes. It is commonly used in finance (cash injection), engineering (fuel injection), and computing (code/dependency injection).
'Inject' is the verb (the action). 'Injection' is the noun (the process, act, or instance of injecting).
Yes, 'jab' is a common, informal British synonym for a medical injection (e.g., 'flu jab'). It is less common in American English.
Collections
Part of a collection
Health and Body
A2 · 48 words · Talking about health, illness and medical care.