interlace

verb

in·​ter·​lace ˌin-tər-ˈlās How to pronounce interlace (audio)
interlaced; interlacing; interlaces

transitive verb

1
: to unite by or as if by lacing together : interweave
2
: to vary by alternation or intermixture : intersperse
narrative interlaced with anecdotes

intransitive verb

: to cross one another as if woven together : intertwine
interlacement noun

Examples of interlace in a Sentence

Interlace the branches and bend them into a circle. The vines interlaced with each other.
Recent Examples on the Web Deftly interlacing present and past, King offers further fascinating insights into Holmes’s family while also delivering an intriguing mystery. Karen MacPherson, Washington Post, 21 Jan. 2024 Mitzi Bernard tightly interlaces dozens of photos of unclad women in girlie-magazine poses into collages, where their willowy bodies become strands of such nonhuman things as a horse’s mane or a bird’s plumage. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2023 As the star shows began, our fingers interlaced in the dark. Sarah Herrington, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023 The song features a group of men imprisoned for their involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot singing the national anthem, interlaced with Trump’s voice saying the pledge of allegiance. Jake Traylor, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2023 Some ceremonial acts, for example, were interlaced with violence as people were sacrificed as tributes to the gods. Popular Science, 18 Oct. 2023 Their remarks are interlaced with abundant interview clips of Wolfe and others — including journalistic fellow traveler and unlikely Wolfe pal Hunter S. Thompson — and excerpts from Wolfe’s writings, read somberly in voice-over by Jon Hamm. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2023 After a 34-32 loss to Utah on Saturday at the Coliseum, the Heisman-winning quarterback sat on the bench, interlaced his fingers and covered his eyes as Utah players flooded onto the field. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2023 That means the relationship between the two nations is interlaced and complex and far more nuanced than much of the debate might have suggested. Michelle Toh, CNN, 28 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interlace.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English entrelacen, from Anglo-French entrelacer, from entre- inter- + lacer to lace

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of interlace was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near interlace

Cite this Entry

“Interlace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interlace. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

interlace

verb
in·​ter·​lace ˌint-ər-ˈlās How to pronounce interlace (audio)
: to unite or cross by or as if by lacing together : interweave
interlaced fibers
interlacing branches
interlacement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on interlace

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