inlay

verb in·lay \ (ˌ)in-ˈlā , ˈin-ˌlā \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

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

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
Among the lust objects on sale are crystal tumblers inlaid with gilt letters and symbols; ionic column-pottery candlesticks; and needlework cushions in geometric patterns.

— kitty greenwald, WSJ, "A Walking Tour of London’s Most Literary Quarter—with Pub Stops," 25 Dec. 2017
In the pages of Sports Illustrated, Peter Gammons noted in a 1989 profile that Sheffield used some of the money to have his initials inlaid in gold on his front teeth and bought a gold Mercedes.

— jay jaffe, SI.com, "Powerful and Volatile, Gary Sheffield's Hall of Fame Chances Are Slim," 22 Dec. 2017
Other floors are marble inlaid with designs, light and dark green marble set into beige and white.

— judy rose, Detroit Free Press, "House Envy: Hidden staircase, custom touches make Oakland Township home one of a kind," 9 Dec. 2017
The few pieces of furniture, including long, low, pale peach velvet sofas and coffee tables inlaid with glass-smooth discs of rich veined stone, are switched out often.

— nancy hass, New York Times, "A Modern-Meets-Neo-Classical Apartment in Milan," 20 Sep. 2017

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

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

The oval dining room has a built-in sideboard with mahogany inlays, paneling around the windows and beehive lighting in the decorative ceiling.

— taylor m. riley, The Courier-Journal, "Step inside three of the most historic – and elaborate – mansions in Old Louisville," 5 Apr. 2018
Old wooden beams from a 19th-century Pennsylvania barn presides over sleek counters with petrified wooden inlays and geometric Cuban tiling.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Designer’s dazzling ‘clock house’ wants $3.6M outside NYC," 20 Mar. 2018
The fireplace has a glass mosaic inlay of two dragons that form a heart.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "Price falls on hobbit-like 'spacious treehouse' in Ashland (photos)," 13 Mar. 2018
The Carbon package, which can be had only in partnership with the Premium package, adds a carbon-fiber inlay on the center console as well as the instrument-panel surround and vent bezels.

— josh jacquot, Car and Driver, "2018 Audi R8 RWS," 9 Mar. 2018
Check out tools up close, get woodworking questions answered, and attend a seminar on any one of a number of topics, including finishing, cabinetmaking, router inlay, furniture building, setting up shop and hand plane rehab.

— bob dohr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Taste of Oak Creek-Franklin to feature food samples, live music and raffles," 5 Mar. 2018
Every day, armies of experts are fanning out to period rooms and homes, to stabilize delicate ebony and tortoiseshell inlays and flecks of gilding on furniture made before World War II.

— eve m. kahn, New York Times, "No, Your Furniture Shouldn’t Drip or Burst," 2 Mar. 2018
Teak Root side tables with succulent inlay, $389 each; malibudesigncenter.com.

— miranda crowell, Sunset, "How to Nail Modern Bohemian Style," 22 Jan. 2018
The bag is made (in Italy) from textured black pebble-grain leather and features a diagonal red, white, and blue calf leather inlay and a matching grosgrain-ribbon detail above the exterior zip pocket—a preppy-meets-patriotic signature of the brand.

— max berlinger, GQ, "The Best Totes Hold All Your Stuff and Look Smart Over Your Shoulder," 26 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of inlay

1667

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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