inlaid
(ˌ)in-ˈlād 
ˈin-ˌlād
; inlaying
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
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
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
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
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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
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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
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.
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Kids Definition
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
More from Merriam-Webster on inlay
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for 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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