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

Example Sentences

Interlace the branches and bend them into a circle. The vines interlaced with each other.
Recent Examples on the Web The IWSC Judging Panel described the Redbreast 27 YO as exhibiting: Red and dark fruits interlace with tropical notes, enriched with an elegance of warming baking spice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023 Embroidered flowers that look unraveled and pulled from the seams crudely emulate Takashi Murakami, the Japanese artist whose most famous works interlace his brief run at Louis Vuitton. Kyle Rice, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2022 Without a barbell, interlace your fingers behind your back. Amanda Macmillan, Outside Online, 5 Sep. 2014 After a few swings to open up, touch your fingertips together at the back of the stretch or gently interlace them. Jonathan Beverly, Outside Online, 19 May 2020 The police have each of them (Samuel Thorne's face is blurred) turn around and interlace their fingers behind their backs before an officer handcuffs them. Dakin Andone, CNN, 7 Aug. 2021 The steps—one of many pedestrian shortcuts that interlace the hilly neighborhoods of Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and Echo Park—are named for the Mattachine Society, the first enduring American gay-rights organization. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 June 2021 Cords on the dress enchantingly interlace together to make a net that captures people’s hearts. Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, 3 June 2021 Another officer orders Leyva to interlace his hands on top of his head, though Leyva appears to ignore both requests and turns his back on the officers while walking back toward the house. Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2020 See More

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 31 Mar. 2023.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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