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

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

Beyond the memories, the only trace of the great man is La Casa — the rambling, Spanish-style home with a terracotta roof, stucco walls and inlaid ceramic tiles that Valenzuela built for his family during the exhilarating, and financially remunerative, days of Fernandomania. —Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024

Noun

While one room had been torched and its chandeliers were covered in ash, some of the others looked like they might have been robbed, although art remained on the walls and the mother-of-pearl inlay was still in the doors. —Richard Engel, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024

The bottle is crafted from crystal glass, with 30 facets representing the Japanese calendar months, and it’s adorned with traditional maki-e lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlays. —Rachel King, Forbes, 3 Dec. 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