inlay

1 of 2

verb

inlaid (ˌ)in-ˈlād How to pronounce inlay (audio)
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
inlayer noun

inlay

2 of 2

noun

in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā How to pronounce inlay (audio)
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
Verb
At the same time, hundreds of tiny stars are fashioned from mother-of-pearl, abalone, brass, copper, and silver to be inlaid in the wood. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2024 The lobby was blessedly cool and regal, with massive Murano glass chandeliers, tapestries, and inlaid marble flooring. Jeanne O'Brien Coffey, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Noun
The lid’s dark, varnished inlay seemed to swirl and shimmer like the surface of Venus. David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024 The handle has rubber inlays and is laser-engraved with the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race (WPER) logo. Outside Online, 25 Jan. 2010 See all Example Sentences for inlay 

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.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inlay was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near inlay

Cite this Entry

“Inlay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inlay. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

inlay

1 of 2 verb
in·​lay (ˈ)in-ˈlā How to pronounce inlay (audio)
inlaid -ˈlād How to pronounce inlay (audio) ; inlaying
: to set into a surface for decoration or strengthening
inlayer noun

inlay

2 of 2 noun
in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā How to pronounce inlay (audio)
1
: inlaid work or material used in inlaying
2
: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place

Medical Definition

inlay

noun
in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā How to pronounce inlay (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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