inlay

1 of 2

verb

in·​lay (ˌ)in-ˈlā  ˈin-ˌlā 

inlaid (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

inlayer noun

inlay

2 of 2

noun

in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā 

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

Here, the floors are inlaid with mother of pearl, and there are two separate bathrooms and dressing rooms. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025

While the bamboo and bone tiles may be long gone, and the mahjong table is now inlaid with phone charging sockets rather than mother of pearl, the game’s magic remains the same. —Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025

Noun

Both bedrooms are really large, there’s a gas-burning fireplace in the living room (also really large), a dining room, windows in every room including both bathrooms, and historic details like picture moldings, hardwood floors with walnut inlays, and original bathroom tile. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 15 Apr. 2025

It's set in platinum with 18-carat yellow gold inlay and features Bloom and Theroux's birthstones embedded in the band. —Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inlay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

inlay

1 of 2 verb

in·​lay (ˈ)in-ˈlā 

inlaid -ˈlād  ; inlaying

: to set into a surface for decoration or strengthening

inlayer noun

inlay

2 of 2 noun

in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā 

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 

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