insert

verb in·sert \ in-ˈsərt \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of insert

transitive verb

1 : to put or thrust in

insert the key in the lock

2 : to put or introduce into the body of something : interpolate

insert a change in a manuscript

3 : to set in and make fast; especially : to insert by sewing between two cut edges

4 : to place into action (as in a game)

insert a new pitcher

intransitive verb

of a muscle : to be in attachment to the part to be moved

—

inserter

noun

See insert defined for English-language learners

See insert defined for kids

Examples of insert in a Sentence

Insert your credit card here.
You need to insert a comma between these two words.
insert a space between paragraphs
They tried to insert themselves into the conversation.

Recent Examples of insert from the Web

Rodney ran the count full to Marwin Gonzalez, inserted as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning with the bases loaded.

— chandler rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros' comeback falls short in loss to Twins," 11 Apr. 2018
Grease the pans well on the bottom and sides, and then insert the parchment paper.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "The only mashed potatoes recipe you'll ever need," 10 Apr. 2018
But when Patrick Reed’s par on the 17th hole was inserted on the course’s main scoreboard, there were audible groans around that 18th green.

— tara sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "The skeptics fail to discourage Patrick Reed in march to Masters title," 9 Apr. 2018
Ashley grew frustrated by the number of clauses that were being inserted into the takeover offer, which could have seen the owner lose up to £100m.

— SI.com, "Newcastle Takeover Bid Back on After Magpies Edge Closer to Premier League Survival," 9 Apr. 2018
But late Monday night the House gutted a different bill and inserted wording into it that amends the tax bill to delete the reduction of pension income, which is officially estimated to raise about $12 million in new annual revenue.

— tom loftus, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky tax reform: House tries to drop pension change just hours after passing bill," 3 Apr. 2018
The surgery involves inserting tiny electrodes in the brain, which deliver a constant electric current that can significantly reduce symptoms of conditions such as essential tremor or Parkinson's disease.

— allyson chiu, ajc, "Flute player performs while undergoing brain surgery," 2 Apr. 2018
Hundreds of Nintendo Switch owners have taken to a Reddit thread to complain of their consoles no longer working after being inserted into third-party docks.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "Nintendo Switch Owners Report Third-Party Docks Killing Console," 29 Mar. 2018
When inserted, the ring creates a seal between the pouch and the cervix.

— The Economist, "A long overdue disruption in menstrual products," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insert.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of insert

Latin insertus, past participle of inserere, from in- + serere to join — more at series

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1529

See Words from the same year

insert Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of insert

introduce, insert, insinuate, interpolate, intercalate, interpose, interject mean to put between or among others. introduce is a general term for bringing or placing a thing or person into a group or body already in existence.

- introduced a new topic into the conversation

insert implies putting into a fixed or open space between or among.

- inserted a clause in the contract

insinuate implies introducing gradually or by gentle pressure.

- insinuated himself into the group

interpolate applies to the inserting of something extraneous or spurious.

- interpolated her own comments into the report

intercalate suggests an intrusive inserting of something in an existing series or sequence.

- new chapters intercalated with the old

interpose suggests inserting an obstruction or cause of delay.

- interpose barriers to communication

interject implies an abrupt or forced introduction.

- interjected a question

insert

noun in·sert \ ˈin-ˌsərt \

Definition of insert

: something that is inserted; especially : written or printed material inserted (as between the leaves of a book)

See insert defined for English-language learners

Examples of insert in a Sentence

The pot comes with an insert for steaming.
advertising inserts in the Sunday paper
Each box includes an insert explaining the product's proper use.

Recent Examples of insert from the Web

And where other VaporFly models get Nike's new ZoomX sole unit and a carbon-fiber heel insert, the Zoom Fly SP mostly just stands out for its pointy-heel sole.

— jake woolf, GQ, "Nike's Zoom Fly SP Is Dropping in its Brightest Colorway Yet," 11 Apr. 2018
The most difficult part was the transition from the old insert to a freestanding magazine.

— christopher bonanos, Daily Intelligencer, "The Birth of New York Magazine, Told by the People Who Made It," 8 Apr. 2018
Cosmetic touches include black chrome finish on the fog lamp bezels, fender surround and grille insert and red recovery hooks.

— jeff yip, Houston Chronicle, "GMC hatches next-gen 2019 half-ton, offers off-road version, carbon-fiber bed," 7 Apr. 2018
Sweeney is based in Anchorage, Dubke said, and his work will be focused in Alaska — like helping draft an informational insert that's expected to run in newspapers next week.

— nathaniel herz, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska gas line corporation hires contractors with D.C. connections," 1 Apr. 2018
Beyond, the dining room features a pellet stove insert and French doors.

— jon gorey, BostonGlobe.com, "For sale: Antique homes in Southborough," 9 Mar. 2018
Her latest look hit a more colorful note; the fresh blue dress had elegant pleating at the hem with multi-color inserts.

— edward barsamian, Vogue, "Gwyneth Paltrow Has the Perfect Sunset Vacation Dress," 21 Mar. 2018
The interior features the brand’s signature boutique hotel bar styling, with luscious leather, glossy inserts and metal trim.

— gary gastelu, Fox News, "The 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is a sexy utility vehicle," 16 Mar. 2018
The goal of Microsoft's change is to avoid that and insert instructions to make the processor stop speculating in the right places automatically.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Microsoft’s compiler-level Spectre fix shows how hard this problem will be to solve," 14 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of insert

circa 1889

INSERT Defined for English Language Learners

insert

verb

Definition of insert for English Language Learners

: to put (something) in something
: to cause (someone) to be involved in an activity

insert

noun

Definition of insert for English Language Learners

: something that is put into something else; especially : a small section or piece of paper with information that is placed inside something

INSERT Defined for Kids

insert

verb in·sert \ in-ˈsərt \

Definition of insert for Students

inserted; inserting

: to put in or into

Insert a coin in the slot.

insert

noun in·sert \ ˈin-ˌsərt \

Definition of insert for Students

: something that is or is meant to be inserted

an advertising insert

Medical Dictionary

insert

intransitive verb in·sert \ in-ˈsərt \

medical Definition of insert

of a muscle

: to be in attachment to the part to be moved

Learn More about insert

See words that rhyme with insert Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for insert Spanish Central: Translation of insert Nglish: Translation of insert for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of insert for Arabic speakers

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insert

Definition of insert

inserter

Examples of insert in a Sentence

Recent Examples of insert from the Web

Origin and Etymology of insert

insert Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of insert

insert

Definition of insert

Examples of insert in a Sentence

Recent Examples of insert from the Web

First Known Use of insert

INSERT Defined for English Language Learners

insert

Definition of insert for English Language Learners

insert

Definition of insert for English Language Learners

INSERT Defined for Kids

insert

Definition of insert for Students

insert

Definition of insert for Students

Medical Dictionary

insert

medical Definition of insert

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