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

Watch on Deadline Netflix accompanied the anno with some comical first looks of Atkinson superimposed onto some of its big hits, which can be viewed below. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2024

Dada collage, whose cutting, splicing, gluing, and superimposing fascinates Soleimani, is similarly haunted by violence. —Max Norman, ARTnews.com, 9 Dec. 2024

The billionaire posted a digitally edited image of the moment superimposed onto a photograph of the Oval Office. —Marie Boran, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

Finally, a T-shirt featuring the McDonald’s logo with the word Mangione superimposed on it is also being sold online by custom gift shop ModParty, referring to the fact Mangione was captured after staff at the fast food restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, identified him and called the police. —David Gilbert, WIRED, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

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