inscription

noun

in·​scrip·​tion in-ˈskrip-shən 

1

a

: something that is inscribed

also : superscription

b

: epigraph sense 2

c

: the wording on a coin, medal, seal, or currency note

2

: the dedication of a book or work of art

3

a

: the act of inscribing

b

: the entering of a name on or as if on a list : enrollment

4

British

a

: the act of inscribing securities

b

inscriptions plural : inscribed securities

inscriptional

in-ˈskrip-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Did you know?

With its prefix in-, meaning "in" or "on", it's not surprising that an inscription is either written on or engraved into a surface. Inscriptions in the ancient world were always chiseled into stone, as inscriptions still may be today. The principal monument of the Vietnam memorial in Washington, D.C., for instance, is a black wall on which are inscribed the names of all the Americans who died during the war—each name in full, row upon seemingly endless row. But an inscription may also be a dedication, such as the words "For my wife" all by themselves on a page near the beginning of a book.

Examples of inscription in a Sentence

The painting had an inscription that read, “To my loving wife.”

the inscription on a stone monument

Recent Examples on the Web

And on April 19, congregants toured Pensacola’s Jewish cemetery, where the oldest tombstone dates from 1874 and many inscriptions are in Hebrew and German as well as English. —Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026

For the past decade, a team of scholars, librarians, and archivists have used bibliographical clues—including inscriptions and bookplates—to piece back together a record of this groundbreaking collection. —Laura E. Helton, Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026

During a visit to the library in February, Igra opened the book to show its inscription. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2026

It’s widely believed that Elizabeth II was buried with her wedding ring; as such, the mystery of the inscription remains a secret for the lifetime loves to share. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inscripcioun, from Latin inscription-, inscriptio, from inscribere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for inscription

• ascription
• conscription
• decryption
• description
• egyptian
• encryption
• prescription
• proscription
• subscription
• transcription
• circumscription
• misdescription

Kids Definition

inscription

noun

in·​scrip·​tion in-ˈskrip-shən 

: something that is inscribed

Medical Definition

inscription

noun

in·​scrip·​tion in-ˈskrip-shən 

: the part of a medical prescription that contains the names and quantities of the drugs to be compounded