mosaic

1 of 4

noun

mo·​sa·​ic mō-ˈzā-ik 

1

: a surface decoration made by inlaying small pieces of variously colored material to form pictures or patterns

also : the process of making it

2

: a picture or design made in mosaic

3

: something resembling a mosaic

… a mosaic of visions and daydreams and memories …

—Lawrence Shainberg

4

: an organism or one of its parts composed of cells of more than one genotype : chimera sense 3

5

: any of numerous virus diseases of plants characterized by diffuse light and dark green or yellow and green mottling of the foliage compare tobacco mosaic virus

6

: a composite map made of photographs taken by an aircraft or spacecraft

7

: the part of a television camera tube consisting of many minute photoelectric particles that convert light to an electric charge

mosaiclike

mō-ˈzā-ik-ˌlīk 

adjective

mosaic

2 of 4

adjective (1)

1

: of, relating to, produced by, or resembling a mosaic

2

: exhibiting mosaicism

3

: determinate sense 5

mosaically

mō-ˈzā-ə-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

mosaic

3 of 4

verb

mosaicked; mosaicking

transitive verb

1

: to decorate with mosaics

2

: to form into a mosaic

Mosaic

4 of 4

adjective (2)

Mo·​sa·​ic mō-ˈzā-ik 

: of or relating to Moses or the institutions or writings attributed to him

lived under the Mosaic Law

Examples of mosaic in a Sentence

Noun

a church decorated with old mosaics

a picture done in mosaic

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The ceiling is decorated with representations of Italian coins from the Etruscans to the early 20th century, the floor consists of colorful geometric mosaics, and gazing down on the scene are busts of various iconic Italian figures, from Marco Polo to Alessandro Volta. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026

Our enduring sense of community, in a state where everyone is only separated by one or two degrees, embraces a mosaic of diversity. —Nancy Wolanski, The Providence Journal, 26 Mar. 2026

Adjective

After wowing on the red carpet in a teal mosaic peplum Giorgio Armani Privé gown and $35 million worth of diamonds, Hudson arrived at the Vanity Fair after-party in another head-turning look this time in the form of a shimmery LBD with a massive cutout. —Tessa Petak, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026

Speakers at the event on Saturday included Muffy Davis, a former Idaho state representative and Paralympic athlete; Anna Sparrell, vice president of CM Company; and Reham Aarti, an Arab American mosaic artist and community advocate. —Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 14 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Among his creations were furniture, lamps with mosaic shades from Lake Michigan beach glass, jewelry, paintings, sculptures and clocks. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025

In the dining room, expect vintage chandeliers, intricate mosaic tilework and leather banquettes, designed in collaboration with Chicago’s Kuchar Studio and Dan Beyer Architects. —Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English musycke, from Medieval Latin musaicum, alteration of Late Latin musivum, from Latin museum, musaeum

Adjective (2)

New Latin Mosaicus, from Moses Moses

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (1)

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1770, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

1632, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mosaic

• cucumber mosaic
• tobacco mosaic virus

Rhymes for mosaic

• altaic
• archaic
• deltaic
• hebraic
• oleic
• prosaic
• trochaic
• voltaic
• algebraic
• aramaic
• formulaic
• ptolemaic

Kids Definition

mosaic

noun

mo·​sa·​ic

mō-ˈzā-ik

1

: a decoration on a surface made by setting small pieces of glass, tile, or stone of different colors into another material so as to make pictures or patterns

2

: the process of making mosaics

3

: something resembling a mosaic

especially : a virus disease of plants characterized by mottling of the foliage

mosaic adjective

Medical Definition

mosaic

1 of 2 noun

mo·​sa·​ic mō-ˈzā-ik 

: an organism or one of its parts composed of cells of more than one genotype : chimera

mosaic

2 of 2 adjective

1

: exhibiting mosaicism

2

: determinate

mosaically

-ˈzā-ə-k(ə-)lē 

adverb