inlay

1 of 2

verb

in·​lay (ˌ)in-ˈlā  ˈin-ˌlā 

inlaid (ˌ)in-ˈlād 

ˈin-ˌlād

; inlaying

transitive verb

1

a

: to set into a surface or ground material

b

: to adorn with insertions

c

: to insert (something, such as a color plate) into a mat or other reinforcement

2

: to rub, beat, or fuse (something, such as wire) into an incision in metal, wood, or stone

inlayer noun

inlay

2 of 2

noun

in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā 

1

: inlaid work or a decorative inlaid pattern

2

: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place

Examples of inlay in a Sentence

Noun

The cabinet doors are decorated with inlays.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Updated bathrooms have a Roman bathhouse feel with arches inlaid in travertine and new wall-to-wall marble vanities. —Jen Salerno Young, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2024

Shapes, patterns, and colors are accentuated by a tiled floor inlaid with carpet. —Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 31 July 2024

Noun

The 4-carat, emerald cut, flawless diamond is set in platinum with 18-carat yellow gold inlay. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024

The watch features a rather large 43.2 mm x 16.95 mm stainless steel case, along with a unidirectional rotating bezel that includes a scratch-resistant, black ceramic inlay. —Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inlay

1 of 2 verb

in·​lay (ˈ)in-ˈlā 

inlaid -ˈlād  ; inlaying

: to set into a surface for decoration or strengthening

inlayer noun

inlay

2 of 2 noun

in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā 

1

: inlaid work or material used in inlaying

2

: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place

Medical Definition

inlay

noun

in·​lay ˈin-ˌlā 

1

: a tooth filling shaped to fit a cavity and then cemented into place

2

: a piece of tissue (as bone) laid into the site of missing tissue to cover a defect