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

The gathering place for guests is more often than not an old conservatory reimagined with a pink onyx and burgundy leather bar, set over a wood floor inlaid with marble leftover from another room in the home—with doors that open to an impressive garden. —Kerry Pieri, Architectural Digest, 8 Jan. 2025

Another piece that highlighted his patchwork technique in a less rigid form was a rich mahogany cabinet inlaid with large alabaster rocks sporadically spread across the doors. —Morgan Meier, Curbed, 14 Dec. 2024

Noun

The show’s opening galleries display an impressive array of artifacts that demonstrate the ancient world’s interest in gold, such as a sarcophagus dating to between 945 and 740 B.C.E. decorated with golden pigments—which are meant to mimic gold inlays. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Dec. 2024

The authors of the study, published in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology, analyzed the carvings and inlays of the structure to determine its country of origin. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 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