parenteral

adjective

par·​en·​ter·​al pə-ˈren-tə-rəl How to pronounce parenteral (audio)
: situated or occurring outside the intestine
especially : introduced otherwise than by way of the intestines
parenterally
pə-ˈren-tə-rə-lē How to pronounce parenteral (audio)
adverb

Examples of parenteral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The December 2022 draft guidelines cited in the post recommend limits on aluminum exposure through parenteral nutrition based on an infant’s weight and days of life, which the post accurately reflects as 17.5 micrograms for a 1-day-old baby weighing 3.5 kilograms. — Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2024 An investigation by the Texas Medical Board shows that the solution Cleveland received intravenously included total parenteral nutrition, or TPN, a potent, concentrated mix of electrolytes that doctors use to feed patients who are physically unable to consume adequate nutrition on their own. — Erika Edwards, NBC News, 1 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary para- + enteral

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parenteral was in 1906

Rhymes for parenteral

See All Rhymes for parenteral

Browse Nearby Words

parenteral
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parenteral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parenteral. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

parenteral

1 of 2 adjective
par·​en·​ter·​al pə-ˈrent-ə-rəl How to pronounce parenteral (audio)
: situated or occurring outside the intestine
parenteral drug administration by intravenous, intramuscular, or subcutaneous injection
especially : introduced otherwise than by way of the intestines
enteric versus parenteral feeding
parenterally
-rə-lē How to pronounce parenteral (audio)
adverb

parenteral

2 of 2 noun
: an agent (as a drug or solution) intended for parenteral administration
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
girl-pencil-test
Challenging Standardized Test Words Quiz Vol. 3 You’re on your own for the math section.
See All