iv drip

This term is a compound noun used primarily in clinical settings, though it is common in general conversation when discussing hospital stays. It refers specifically to the controlled, slow delivery of fluids, distinguishing it from a "bolus," which is a rapid injection of a large volume of fluid.

In medical documentation, the term is often shortened to simply "IV" (intravenous), but "drip" is added in colloquial or descriptive contexts to emphasize the continuous, drop-by-drop nature of the administration.