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
Lawrence Shainberg4
: 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
mosaicked; mosaicking
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 WebMax Berlinger Stefan Ruiz, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024
Yet, this mosaic of biodiversity faces growing challenges due to human activities.
—Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
While their accounts serve as a testament to their family values, together, their stories also contribute to the mosaic of the modern Detroiter experience, captured by the museum in color and portraiture.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 27 Feb. 2024
Spray painters still add political messages to the mosaic of artwork in east London.
—Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Damage from fire and insects and interruptions due to human structures have created a disconnected mosaic of habitat for red squirrels.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024
The walls of the historical church feature intricate mosaics and the Pala d'Oro, a Byzantine altar is made from garnets, amethysts, sapphires, emeralds and hundreds of other precious gemstones.
—Gabriele Regalbuto, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2024
Owners Lily and David Stockton baked and decorated a mosaic of cookies for more than 30 years.
—The Indianapolis Star, 29 Feb. 2024
Their testimonies, along with other witnesses’, provided a mosaic of what happened the night of the shooting, backing up the prosecution’s allegations.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2024
Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024
Polished chrome accents and marble mosaic floor tiles bring an elegant sensibility to what could otherwise be an overly sweet pastel scheme.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
Thirty-five languages were spoken in Grenfell Tower, a fact memorialized on mosaic tiles embedded in sidewalks marking the route of a silent walk that is taken by some survivors on the fourteenth of every month.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Rooms feature mosaic tiles, colorful fabrics, Frette linens and robes, and many have fireplaces and claw-foot bathtubs.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
The grounds are a tropical oasis, with lush plantings, a resort-style pool, spa, several water features, and bespoke mosaic tiling.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Several feature the original 1930 black and white mosaic tile and six-foot cast-iron tubs.
—The Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2024
Its narrow streets are crowded with small, irregular houses that have tiny gardens or mosaic walls out front made of stained glass and mirror shards.
—Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024
Overlooking Waikiki Beach, Halekulani’s Orchid Pool is recognized globally for its award-winning design including 1.2 million individual pieces of glass mosaic tiles imported from South Africa that form the iconic Cattleya Orchid.
—Debbi Kickham, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Noun
His recent fractured and frenzied giant mosaics — composed of ceramic, mirror shards, wood and other materials — can be seen at the Metropolitan Opera and La Guardia Airport.
—Max Berlinger Stefan Ruiz, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024
Yet, this mosaic of biodiversity faces growing challenges due to human activities.
—Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
While their accounts serve as a testament to their family values, together, their stories also contribute to the mosaic of the modern Detroiter experience, captured by the museum in color and portraiture.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 27 Feb. 2024
Spray painters still add political messages to the mosaic of artwork in east London.
—Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
Damage from fire and insects and interruptions due to human structures have created a disconnected mosaic of habitat for red squirrels.
—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024
The walls of the historical church feature intricate mosaics and the Pala d'Oro, a Byzantine altar is made from garnets, amethysts, sapphires, emeralds and hundreds of other precious gemstones.
—Gabriele Regalbuto, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2024
Owners Lily and David Stockton baked and decorated a mosaic of cookies for more than 30 years.
—The Indianapolis Star, 29 Feb. 2024
Their testimonies, along with other witnesses’, provided a mosaic of what happened the night of the shooting, backing up the prosecution’s allegations.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Beyond the grand foyer, complete with a marble mosaic floor and intricate moldings, the apartment opens up to a trio of reception rooms.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024
Polished chrome accents and marble mosaic floor tiles bring an elegant sensibility to what could otherwise be an overly sweet pastel scheme.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
Thirty-five languages were spoken in Grenfell Tower, a fact memorialized on mosaic tiles embedded in sidewalks marking the route of a silent walk that is taken by some survivors on the fourteenth of every month.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
Rooms feature mosaic tiles, colorful fabrics, Frette linens and robes, and many have fireplaces and claw-foot bathtubs.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024
The grounds are a tropical oasis, with lush plantings, a resort-style pool, spa, several water features, and bespoke mosaic tiling.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Several feature the original 1930 black and white mosaic tile and six-foot cast-iron tubs.
—The Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2024
Its narrow streets are crowded with small, irregular houses that have tiny gardens or mosaic walls out front made of stained glass and mirror shards.
—Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024
Overlooking Waikiki Beach, Halekulani’s Orchid Pool is recognized globally for its award-winning design including 1.2 million individual pieces of glass mosaic tiles imported from South Africa that form the iconic Cattleya Orchid.
—Debbi Kickham, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mosaic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near mosaic
Cite this Entry
“Mosaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mosaic. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share