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
The large marble piece features tortoiseshell inlaid with metal. Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 13 July 2023 With a sleek silhouette of 1.3 carats of diamonds inlaid within a 14K white gold band, this ring has that whole whispers-of-strength thing down. Daisy Melamed Sanders, ELLE, 13 July 2023 Among these items is the Cannon of Kandy, a ceremonial 18th-century weapon made of bronze, silver and gold and inlaid with rubies. Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2023 Bon Appétit’s Sam Stone explored the club, noting a floor inlaid with a shuffleboard court, waiters wearing white jackets, a black marble bathroom, and menus that neglected to the list the price of its white pastas, black truffle pizza, and the rest of its Italian fare. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 2 July 2023 Its defining moc-toe detail is accomplished by cording, a technique in which a twisted cotton cord is inlaid behind the leather to create a design. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 22 June 2023 Its middle had been meticulously extracted, leaving a rectangular cavity in which a previous owner had inlaid a thin cedar box. Justin Beal, Harper's Magazine, 14 Dec. 2022 The dining table is inlaid with white cowbone and black wood to form piano keys, while each dining chair has an instrument embroidered on the back. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 2 June 2023 Over the years, students in his class have built everything from custom cornhole boards and rocking chairs to sideboards and inlaid wood tables. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2023
Noun
For the earrings featured here, the designer collaborated with Native American artists who work with shell and stone inlay, while the shell in the necklace came from a Brazilian dealer who specializes in sourcing impressive shells from around the world. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2023 However, Genesis’ luxury flagship mixes forged carbon fiber trim and metal inlays to create an unexpected elegant appearance. Kyle Edward, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023 Ivory has been used for napkin rings, ashtrays, cutlery handles, combs, figurines, weapon hands and piano keys or inlays. San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2023 Her black table with a white inlay detail and green centerpiece complement her living room, which boasts a similarly classic color scheme. Megan Stein, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2023 The Anthropologie Waterfall Inlay Console Table is a luxurious and elegant console table that was crafted with bone inlay, a technique that makes for an eye-catching pattern. L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2023 Material quality is high, and there are numerous leather options along with a small forest's worth of wood inlays to choose from. Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 18 July 2023 Silk wallpaper, hand embroidery and elaborate inlays depicting flying flamingos, gingko leaves and red maple trees with bluebirds also established a nature-heavy tone. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 10 May 2023 Inside, the foyer offers coat hooks, slab-pine benches, tile with an inlay, and stairs to the upper floor and finished basement. John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2023 See More

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 28 Sep. 2023.

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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