superimpose

verb

su·​per·​im·​pose ˌsü-pər-im-ˈpōz 

superimposed; superimposing; superimposes

transitive verb

: to place or lay over or above something

superimposed images

superimposition

ˌsü-pər-ˌim-pə-ˈzi-shən 

noun

Did you know?

Superimposition was one of the magical effects employed by early filmmakers. Using "mirror shots", with semitransparent mirrors set at 45° angles to the scene, they would superimpose shadowy images of ghosts or scenes from a character's past onto scenes from the present. Superimposing your own ideas on something, such as a historical event, has to be done carefully, since your ideas may change whenever you learn something new about the event.

Examples of superimpose in a Sentence

A triangle superimposed on an inverted triangle forms a six-pointed star.

Recent Examples on the Web

And superimposed over these waves, like a film, a white antique chest of drawers. —Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025

One option puts a floating dot on your screen that brings up a menu that’s superimposed on all your apps and home screens. —Larry Magid, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025

Chirality is a property in which a molecule cannot be superimposed with its mirror image, like right and left hands. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025

Throughout the night, a ticker with the donation amount was periodically superimposed under speeches and shown on a screen behind Bargatze. —Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for superimpose

• arabinose
• arpeggios
• chlorpyrifos
• manifestoes
• manifestos
• pistachios
• politicos
• portfolios
• agarose
• aliquots
• amigos
• anthracnose

Kids Definition

superimpose

verb

su·​per·​im·​pose ˌsü-pə-rim-ˈpōz 

: to place or lay over or above something

superimposition

-ˌrim-pə-ˈzish-ən 

noun