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a
: a place where something flows in : channel
b
: a setting or flowing in
2
: something that is inset: such as
a
: a small graphic representation (such as a map or picture) set within a larger one
b
: a piece of cloth set into a garment (as for decoration)
c
: a part or section of a utensil that fits into an outer part
inset or insetted; insetting
2
: to provide with an inset
Example Sentences
Noun
The floor is decorated with an inset of marble tiles.
velvet dresses with silk insets
Verb
inset a map in a larger map
Recent Examples on the Web
Tracey Harrington Mccoy, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2023
The face has large numbered indices with a 24 hour inset which is common for pilot-style timepieces.
—Men's Health, 24 Feb. 2023
As seen in the inset, the probe's heat shield is pointing toward the Sun.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2021
It’s also used on a kitchen inset wall, on countertops and covers a black and white kitchen island.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2023
Max versions of the G9 get two Lidar units mounted inset in the front fender light clusters.
—Mark Andrews, WIRED, 4 Feb. 2023
The horizontal grilles are inset and house the turn signals at their outer edges.
—Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
The star, nicknamed Icarus, is marked by the white arrow in the bottom inset image.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2018
The inset on the right, an area less than 5 kilometers across, shows hollows forming there.
—David Rothery, Discover Magazine, 11 Mar. 2016
Sarah Scoles, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2015
In 2016, Gomez made his first foray into furniture design with a line of diaphanous Lucite tables inset with mandalas, circular diagrams considered sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism.
—Paola Singer, ELLE Decor, 28 Sep. 2022
When Benjamin Franklin departed as minister to France, King Louis XVI presented him with a snuffbox encrusted with 408 diamonds and inset with the king’s portrait.
—Craig Whitlock, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2022
Merrill inset the attic’s paneled walls with wallpaper by Pierre Frey in a pattern with intricate, graphic florals that pleasantly tease the eye and, with the addition of white oak, contribute to a more modern effect.
—Stacie Stukin, ELLE Decor, 21 Sep. 2022
The sleeve was inset with a cascading ruffle, draped from the back of the turtleneck to the shoulder.
—Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2022
The 883-square-meter home is accessed through either street-facing double doors inset into a wall (large cut-outs reveal the interior courtyard)–or a carport that accommodates three vehicles.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 16 July 2022
Each tavern has its own flavor, allowing the Dungeon Master to inset it in whatever region best fits the story.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes, 1 July 2022
In the foyer, a white marble staircase is inset with colorful mosaics.
—E.b. Solomont, WSJ, 5 May 2022
See More
Noun
Her dress featured an iridescent black pattern, a lace bustier inset and trumpet hem.
—Tracey Harrington Mccoy, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2023
The face has large numbered indices with a 24 hour inset which is common for pilot-style timepieces.
—Men's Health, 24 Feb. 2023
As seen in the inset, the probe's heat shield is pointing toward the Sun.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2021
It’s also used on a kitchen inset wall, on countertops and covers a black and white kitchen island.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2023
Max versions of the G9 get two Lidar units mounted inset in the front fender light clusters.
—Mark Andrews, WIRED, 4 Feb. 2023
The horizontal grilles are inset and house the turn signals at their outer edges.
—Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 3 Feb. 2023
The star, nicknamed Icarus, is marked by the white arrow in the bottom inset image.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2018
The inset on the right, an area less than 5 kilometers across, shows hollows forming there.
—David Rothery, Discover Magazine, 11 Mar. 2016
Verb
Red represents hotter dust, and the Pillars are outlined and inset.
—Sarah Scoles, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2015
In 2016, Gomez made his first foray into furniture design with a line of diaphanous Lucite tables inset with mandalas, circular diagrams considered sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism.
—Paola Singer, ELLE Decor, 28 Sep. 2022
When Benjamin Franklin departed as minister to France, King Louis XVI presented him with a snuffbox encrusted with 408 diamonds and inset with the king’s portrait.
—Craig Whitlock, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2022
Merrill inset the attic’s paneled walls with wallpaper by Pierre Frey in a pattern with intricate, graphic florals that pleasantly tease the eye and, with the addition of white oak, contribute to a more modern effect.
—Stacie Stukin, ELLE Decor, 21 Sep. 2022
The sleeve was inset with a cascading ruffle, draped from the back of the turtleneck to the shoulder.
—Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2022
The 883-square-meter home is accessed through either street-facing double doors inset into a wall (large cut-outs reveal the interior courtyard)–or a carport that accommodates three vehicles.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 16 July 2022
Each tavern has its own flavor, allowing the Dungeon Master to inset it in whatever region best fits the story.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes, 1 July 2022
In the foyer, a white marble staircase is inset with colorful mosaics.
—E.b. Solomont, WSJ, 5 May 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inset.' 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 inset
Cite this Entry
“Inset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inset. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.
Kids Definition
inset
1 of 2 noun
in·set
ˈin-ˌset 
: something that is inset: as
a
: a small map or picture set within a larger one
b
: a piece of cloth set into a garment for decoration
More from Merriam-Webster on inset
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inset
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