inlaid
(ˌ)in-ˈlād 
ˈin-ˌlād
; inlaying
1
a
: to set into a surface or ground material
b
: to adorn with insertions
c
: to insert (something, such as a color plate) into a mat or other reinforcement
2
: to rub, beat, or fuse (something, such as wire) into an incision in metal, wood, or stone
inlayer
noun
1
: inlaid work or a decorative inlaid pattern
2
: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place
Examples of inlay in a Sentence
Noun
The cabinet doors are decorated with inlays.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ann Abel, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Disney+ also shared a clip of Swift singing the Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) From the Vault track on Instagram, featuring the 14-time Grammy winner in a sparkling magenta dress, playing a wooden guitar with her first name inlaid into the fretboard.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024
The forest is created using marquetry, with 367 individual pieces of wood, parchment, and straw inlaid by hand.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024
Most are medium-sized and seem not only painted but built, with lots of sturdy squarish shapes inlaid in the frame.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2024
Only the black lacquered dial provides contrast, inlaid with silver glitter.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024
University of Cambridge Archaeological Unit The Trumpington Cross, 3.5 cm across and inlaid with garnets.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 June 2023
The piece is inlaid with oval- and pear-cut yellow beryl, topaz quartz, and round-cut diamonds set in in gold and platinum, with two large briolette-cut stones hanging off the end.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2024
Options include visiting Bianco Bianchi’s scagliola workshop where guests can watch Bianchi’s descendants at work, and try their own hand at creating scagliola, inlaid decorative surfaces.
—Karen Gardiner, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2023
Carol Besler, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Dragon’s Cloud The dragon in this energetic narrative is carved out of gold over a background made using a rare technique called damascening, a form of decorative inlay using metals of contrasting colors, resulting in a layered appearance meant to resemble the organic textures found in nature.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024
The first one is malachite, which is usually used in thin slices for dials, but in an unusual twist, Bulgari creates a marquetry composition made of malachite inlay.
—Carol Besler, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Finally, one of the casks that the whisky was matured in was used to construct the oak inlay.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024
Elegant, luxurious, and meticulously detailed with silver metal Riva brand inlays strategically throughout, the Diva is divine.
—Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Volvo designers took the opportunity to incorporate more youthful flourishes in the cabin of the Plus trim, such as the textured metallic trim in place of traditional wood inlays and rectilinear vents with floating chrome adjusters.
—Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 27 June 2023
Interior upgrades include a sport steering wheel, carbon trim inlays, Valcona leather sport seats, and extended leather that reaches across the dashboard and door arm rests.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 18 Jan. 2024
Among the 14 works being returned to Cambodia are a 10th-century bronze Head of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion; and a bronze figure with silver inlay, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Seated in Royal Ease, which dates from the 10th or 11th centuries during the Angkor period.
—Tom Mashberg, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2023
Verb
Every single detail is being inlaid and carved by hand onsite—a single panel can take days.
—Ann Abel, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024
Disney+ also shared a clip of Swift singing the Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) From the Vault track on Instagram, featuring the 14-time Grammy winner in a sparkling magenta dress, playing a wooden guitar with her first name inlaid into the fretboard.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024
The forest is created using marquetry, with 367 individual pieces of wood, parchment, and straw inlaid by hand.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024
Most are medium-sized and seem not only painted but built, with lots of sturdy squarish shapes inlaid in the frame.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2024
Only the black lacquered dial provides contrast, inlaid with silver glitter.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024
University of Cambridge Archaeological Unit The Trumpington Cross, 3.5 cm across and inlaid with garnets.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 June 2023
The piece is inlaid with oval- and pear-cut yellow beryl, topaz quartz, and round-cut diamonds set in in gold and platinum, with two large briolette-cut stones hanging off the end.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2024
Options include visiting Bianco Bianchi’s scagliola workshop where guests can watch Bianchi’s descendants at work, and try their own hand at creating scagliola, inlaid decorative surfaces.
—Karen Gardiner, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2023
Noun
The dial depicts a young surfer approaching the waves with his board, and is composed of 100 veneer parts and 75 inlays comprising 23 species of wood in different colors, textures and veining.
—Carol Besler, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Dragon’s Cloud The dragon in this energetic narrative is carved out of gold over a background made using a rare technique called damascening, a form of decorative inlay using metals of contrasting colors, resulting in a layered appearance meant to resemble the organic textures found in nature.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024
The first one is malachite, which is usually used in thin slices for dials, but in an unusual twist, Bulgari creates a marquetry composition made of malachite inlay.
—Carol Besler, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
Finally, one of the casks that the whisky was matured in was used to construct the oak inlay.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024
Elegant, luxurious, and meticulously detailed with silver metal Riva brand inlays strategically throughout, the Diva is divine.
—Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Volvo designers took the opportunity to incorporate more youthful flourishes in the cabin of the Plus trim, such as the textured metallic trim in place of traditional wood inlays and rectilinear vents with floating chrome adjusters.
—Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 27 June 2023
Interior upgrades include a sport steering wheel, carbon trim inlays, Valcona leather sport seats, and extended leather that reaches across the dashboard and door arm rests.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 18 Jan. 2024
Among the 14 works being returned to Cambodia are a 10th-century bronze Head of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion; and a bronze figure with silver inlay, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Seated in Royal Ease, which dates from the 10th or 11th centuries during the Angkor period.
—Tom Mashberg, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inlay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inlay
Cite this Entry
“Inlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inlay. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
inlay
noun
in·lay
ˈin-ˌlā
1
: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place
2
: a piece of tissue (as bone) laid into the site of missing tissue to cover a defect
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