Intakes

Intake is the act or process of taking something into a system, organism, or structure. In common usage the term covers both the intake of substances by living beings and the entry points or mechanisms that admit substances or people into systems. The term is used across disciplines, including biology, nutrition, engineering, and public administration.

Biology and physiology: In animals and humans, intake refers to the intake of air (breathing) and of nutrients (ingestion). Air intake involves the nasal or oral route, the trachea, and lungs, regulated by the diaphragm and respiratory muscles. Nutrient intake encompasses all food and drink consumed, contributing to energy and nutrient balance.

Nutrition: Dietary intake is commonly described using calories or macronutrient grams and micronutrient amounts. Guidance documents describe recommended or adequate intakes (RDA, AI) for populations. Intake is assessed by recall, diaries, or food frequency questionnaires.

Engineering and environmental: In engineering, an intake is a physical opening or system that supplies air to an engine or process. Air-intake systems include filters, ducts, throttle bodies, and intake manifolds. Water or seawater intakes feed reactors, cooling systems, or desalination plants and are designed to minimize contaminants and meet flow requirements.

Public administration and service settings: In service settings, intake refers to the process of recording and evaluating new clients or patients—often called the intake process or intake interview—to determine needs, eligibility, and placement.