inlay

verb in·lay \ (ˌ)in-ˈlā , ˈin-ˌlā \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Examples: inlay in a Sentence

Definition of inlay

inlaid play \(ˌ)in-ˈlād, ˈin-ˌlād\; inlaying

transitive verb

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

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inlayer

noun

See inlay defined for English-language learners

See inlay defined for kids

Recent Examples of inlay from the Web

Her playful fine jewelry (inlaid with turquoise and pearl) fuses her northern background with her adopted home’s cosmopolitan verve.

— mosha lundström halbert, Vogue, "The Latina Cool Girl’s Guide to Mexico City," 4 June 2018
There is the 3-foot-high, peacock-feather gear for battling flies, inlaid with diamonds and set with bands of gold tinsel, presented to the prince on his official entry into Jaipur.

— j.s. marcus, WSJ, "Souvenirs of a Prince’s Passage to India," 18 May 2018
Over-the-top design—like, say, tables and globes inlaid with the sacred geometry of the universe—is used only to further the shop’s wow factor.

— cam wolf, GQ, "James Harden Owns the Iciest Watch You've Ever Seen," 30 Apr. 2018
Patina earrings accented with turquoise chips and Tibetan amber inlaid with brass; $15.

— vanessa infanzon, charlotteobserver, "CLT Made: MADDJewels," 13 Apr. 2018
Our fabrics are inlaid in the resin, but they can be surfed on too.

— katy schneider, The Cut, "Teyana Taylor’s Nail Salon, a New Gym From Chelsea Piers, and High-Design Seder Plates," 18 Mar. 2018
The use of four circles surrounding a central circle, all richly inlaid, was the trademark design of the Cosmati family, Roman artisans who worked for the pope.

— andrew lawler, Smithsonian, "A Crusader-Era High Altar Resurfaces in Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulcher," 16 Feb. 2018
The lavish, quilted-leather seats and tasteful Carbon Atlas inlays convey elegance, but it's smothered by a big bucket of bright Magma Red.

— jennifer geiger, USA TODAY, "Review: Audi's SQ5 blazes new SUV trails," 23 Feb. 2018
The shelves behind the bar, a combination of marble inlaid with wood, were inspired by German textile artist Anni Albers.

— michael bauer, San Francisco Chronicle, "Lazy Bear team ventures into unknown territory with True Laurel," 16 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inlay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of inlay

1596

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

inlay

noun in·lay \ ˈin-ˌlā \

Definition of inlay

1 : inlaid work or a decorative inlaid pattern

2 : a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place

See inlay defined for English-language learners

Examples of inlay in a Sentence

The cabinet doors are decorated with inlays.

Recent Examples of inlay from the Web

Sherman Samuel suggested a Pink Marble pattern from her Lulu & Georgia wallpaper collection for the more intimate glassed-in showroom, with flooring that's a vinyl decal from Atrafloor but looks like stone and brass inlay from a distance.

— jessica ritz, latimes.com, "A DTLA jewelry designer's studio and showroom get a shining makeover," 26 May 2018
French doors lead to a formal dining room with cherry inlays in the hardwoods.

— jon gorey, BostonGlobe.com, "For sale: Homes with water features in Hopkinton and Boxford," 25 May 2018
That sitting area also features gorgeous inlay and moldings.

— shannon rooney, Philly.com, "Multimillion-dollar homes in Philly with can't-be-missed ceilings," 16 May 2018
Available in white or black, NFC Ring comes with two special NFC tag inlays inside the ring, one for public information and one for more sensitive stuff, says the company.

— marc saltzman, USA TODAY, "The latest in tiny technology: smart rings let you hide the phone but see alerts, discreetly," 15 May 2018
The clean, white frame is accented with a gold top-bar inlay for an edgy twist on a classic style that’ll never look out of place.

— minna shim, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Chicest Sunglasses of the Season," 14 May 2018
The pantry leads to the expansive dining room with a fireplace, double crown molding, a built-in hutch with glass doors and inlay walls.

— karen a. avitabile, courant.com, "Property of the Week: 112 Stoner Drive, West Hartford," 1 Feb. 2018
Floors too battered to be repaired and refinished were replaced with period-looking cherry wood with decorative inlays.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Glory days return to gilded 1882 Italianate mansion built for Portland shoe merchant (photos)," 24 Apr. 2018
The master wing also features mother-of-pearl inlay flooring, his-and-hers bathrooms with private terrace and a hidden safe room.

— robyn a. friedman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Zen-inspired mansion west of Delray listed for $20 million," 23 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of inlay

1667

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

INLAY Defined for English Language Learners

inlay

verb

Definition of inlay for English Language Learners

: to set pieces of wood, metal, etc., into the surface of (something) for decoration

inlay

noun

Definition of inlay for English Language Learners

: material that is set into the surface of something for decoration : inlaid material

INLAY Defined for Kids

inlay

verb in·lay \ ˈin-ˈlā \

Definition of inlay for Students

inlaid \-ˈlād\; inlaying

: to set into a surface for decoration or strengthening

inlay

noun in·lay \ ˈin-ˌlā \

Definition of inlay for Students

: inlaid work : material used in inlaying

Medical Dictionary

inlay

noun in·lay \ ˈin-ˌlā \

medical Definition of inlay

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

Learn More about inlay

See words that rhyme with inlay Spanish Central: Translation of inlay Nglish: Translation of inlay for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inlay for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inlay

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inlay

Definition of inlay

inlayer

Recent Examples of inlay from the Web

First Known Use of inlay

inlay

Definition of inlay

Examples of inlay in a Sentence

Recent Examples of inlay from the Web

First Known Use of inlay

INLAY Defined for English Language Learners

inlay

Definition of inlay for English Language Learners

inlay

Definition of inlay for English Language Learners

INLAY Defined for Kids

inlay

Definition of inlay for Students

inlay

Definition of inlay for Students

Medical Dictionary

inlay

medical Definition of inlay

Learn More about inlay

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