inlay

verb

in·lay | \ (ˌ)in-ˈlā

, ˈin-ˌlā

inlaid\ (ˌ)in-ˈlād

, ˈin-ˌlād \; inlaying

Definition of inlay

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

inlay

noun

in·lay | \ ˈin-ˌlā

Definition of inlay (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : inlaid work or a decorative inlaid pattern

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

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Examples of inlay in a Sentence

Noun

The cabinet doors are decorated with inlays.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The water basin itself is inlaid with butterfly mosaics, while the surrounding glass walls and floors feature pill decals. — Christina Liao, Vogue, "Inside the World’s Most Expensive Hotel Suite, Designed by Damien Hirst," 1 Mar. 2019 Far from being lost in meditation, the figure’s expression is alert and its gaze direct, its eyes perhaps once inlaid with rock crystal or gemstones. — Lee Lawrence, WSJ, "‘The Jeweled Isle: Art From Sri Lanka’ Review: Reclaiming a Country’s Creative History," 1 Jan. 2019 It is currently presented as two duplexes with prewar details such as wainscoting, medallions, inlaid mahogany floors and mantles. — Kelsey Kloss, ELLE Decor, "Live In The Footsteps Of Young Lena Horne In This Brooklyn Brownstone For Sale," 14 Nov. 2016 The guest compartments, inlaid with cherrywood and hung in Thai fabrics, are like Victorian dollhouses. — Jo Rodgers, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Most Romantic Way to Get From Singapore to Bangkok," 7 Sep. 2018 Called the Round House, the 5,814 square-foot design is shaped like a half-circle for the most part and incorporates elements of stone, wood and glass alongside onyx terrazzo and brass inlaid concrete floors. — Alex Bazeley, Curbed, "This eclectic, circular midcentury house could be yours for $1.7M," 16 Aug. 2018 Those with a knack for traveling light will relish in Flesh Beauty's on-the-go Flipbook; 100 pages of easy-to-apply makeup papers, carefully inlaid with bronzer, shimmering highlighter and rosy blush—that's our kind of fall read. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "The Only 14 Beauty Products You Need to Buy This Fall," 6 Sep. 2016 Image Mayan tooth inlaid with jade This example dates from A.D. 500 to 1000 and is a good example of the Mayan skill at drilling holes in teeth, presumably without touching the gum, and setting in precious stones. — Roslyn Sulcas, New York Times, "This Exhibition Has Real Bite," 7 June 2018 Delicate floral designs inlaid with semi-precious stones, such as lapis lazuli, red agate, amethyst, abalone, jasper and mother-of-pearl, decorate a variety of marbles and contrast with the more traditional geometric ceramic details. — Jim Berleley, Town & Country, "How to Plan a Trip to Dubai," 5 Oct. 2016

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

That means the inlays and windows were probably made around the time of the city’s founding. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Medieval artisans built a glass-walled palace in the desert," 31 Aug. 2018 When leaving the lab, everyone must cross a special inlay in the floor that brushes the soles of your shoes, should any gold flakes or stray gems be caught in the treads. — Nick Remsen, Vogue, "In Mid-October, LVMH Will Offer a Rare Glimpse Into 76 of Its Worldwide Maisons," 27 Aug. 2018 The desk, made with ivory and mother of pearl inlays, is considered a masterpiece of Pietro Piffetti, one of the most important ebony carpenters of his time. — Simone Somekh, The Seattle Times, "Italian antique desk once displayed in NYC’s Met recovered," 24 July 2018 Loughry, whose $353,000 in renovations included a $32,000 blue suede couch and a $7,500 wood-inlay floor map of West Virginia, has blamed former court administrator Steve Canterbury for the spending and fired him in January 2017. — John Raby, The Seattle Times, "Trials adding up for West Virginia Supreme Court justices," 2 Oct. 2018 Fit for a caliph Glass inlays of clear and purple geometric shapes and multicolored millefiori tiles, along with elaborate mosaics, decorated the walls of the audience chamber at Dar al-Kilafa palace. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Medieval artisans built a glass-walled palace in the desert," 31 Aug. 2018 The Australian/New Zealand box art will have a double-sided inlay, according to Basketball Australia. — Nick Tricome, Philly.com, "Sixers' Ben Simmons will be on NBA 2K19 cover … in Australia," 5 July 2018 Aside from its stables, Chantilly is also known for its lace production, and lashings appeared throughout the collection as graphic inlays, dense ruffles and skirt pleats. — Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, "A Woman’s Rodeo, Designed by Dior," 26 May 2018 The touches added by Elvis include gold-tone hardware, custom woodwork and inlays, red velvet seats and red shag carpet. — Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY, "You can now bid to buy Elvis Presley's private jet; sold 'as is'," 22 June 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.